It takes 18 Punjabis to make the Pakistan World Cup squad
It might sound strange but the 18-member Pakistan hockey team competing at the World Cup here is from one province —Punjab. Forthefirst time in the 71-year history of the country’s hockey, their entire squad is from one province.
“Our entire team is from Punjab. The sport is popular in the province and we have a hockey legacy . Punjab has always been a dominant force in Pakistan hockey but at the same time, we used to have players from Sindh, Pashtun belt, Islamabad too. This is the first time the entire squad is from Punjab,” said former Pakistan hockey great Hassan Sardar, who is also the team manager.
When the division of Unified Punjab took place, the western part, including its capital Lahore, went to Pakistan, while the eastern part became an Indian state.
While all 18 members in the
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Pakistan squad are from Punjab, India has nine, including captain Manpreet Singh, in the World Cup squad. “Hockey in this belt is part of culture and heritage. You can say, the sport is in the blood of people in the region,” said Sardar.
It was the Punjab team that felt the impact of Partition the most.
In March 1947, Unified Punjab participated in the nationals for the last time and expectedly defended the title, beating hosts Bombay. The team was led by 1936 Olympic gold medallist AIS Dara, who played in the 1948 London Olympics for Pakistan.