Back from retirement, Pak’s famed drag-flicker Sohail Abbas says passion to play at the highest level still burns in him.
MUMBAI: A top-class athlete retiring when still at the top is a rarity.
Lure of fame, glory and money, coupled with passion for the game, forces sport stars to play even if there is nothing left in the tank. Sport is littered with examples of heroes having to be removed from their pedestals when they turn up like shadows of their glorious past.
Sohail Abbas is a rarity.
The famed Pakistani drag-flicker hung up his boots after the 2004 Champions Trophy although he was still a feared force. Abbas, though, was clear that he would retire when at his peak. He said that he was running on fumes and wanted a life away from green turf, high expectations and the extreme criticism that would be attached to him, whenever the team failed.
But as Pakistan hockey fell on hard times, the latest being the 5th place finish at the Azlan Shah tournament at Kuala Lumpur, Abbas expressed his desire to come back.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation officials also played their part by cajoling Abbas, who was playing in the Dutch League, to return to the national squad. He is now set to fly to Terrasa, Spain for the Champions Trophy.
At 30, Abbas runs the risk of tarnishing his legend if he fails. “Not everyone can make a comeback like Zinedine Zidane did for France during the World Cup ,” Abbas told DNA from Islamabad.
“Since retiring, I have been playing in Holland. I know that international hockey is tougher. But I have cleared the fitness test. I can only hope and pray that everything goes well for me.” He adds: “I would like to see Pakistan win won big championship — the Olympic gold, World Cup or the Champions Trophy. Obviously, it pains me that I have not been able to inspire Pakistan to a major triumph.”
He has scored the most international goals, most goals in a calendar year, been fastest to 100 goals and fastest to the double hundred figure. But what matters for Abbas now is how Pakistan performs. “At times it was frustrating that I was singled out for criticism when the team failed. But that is now behind me. The Pakistan team must do well.”
So does the fire still burn in him or has it been more of an emotional decision? “Well, I missed my friends. We were more friends than just teammates and I missed the camaraderie,” he says. “Wearing the Pakistan jersey and representing the country still inspires me. The passion is still there, no doubt.” Goalkeepers and defenders be warned. The best drag-flicker in the world is back in business.
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