Former Olympians call for revival of Asian hockey

KARACHI (AFP) - Former Pakistani Olympians Friday called for a major effort to revive Asian field hockey after one-time powerhouse Pakistan finished a poor eighth in Beijing and India failed to even qualify.

The three-time champions lost to New Zealand 4-2 on Thursday for their worst performance in Olympic history, while Asian champions South Korea play Britain on Saturday for a possible fifth spot.

Eight-time Olympic champions India failed to qualify for the first time in 100 years of hockey in the Summer Games.

This also became the second Olympics in a row when none of the Asian teams qualified for the semi-finals with world champions Germany facing Spain in the final and Australia playing the Netherlands for a bronze medal on Saturday.

Former Pakistan captain Shahbaz Ahmed lamented the downfall of Asian hockey.