Pakistan's (Field) Hockey

After the World Cup of Field Hockey in which Pakistan's team finished last, they unanimously and uniformly resigned from the team. This had come on the heals of big talk and bigger expectations for the nation that had won the 1994 competition.

I was shocked to read in the paper that Pakistan's ENTIRE team had resigned from the national team. They had said that their performance was unacceptable and had brought shame to their country. I don't know about you, but when I think of things that are shameful about Pakistan... Well, let's just say, not being good at MEN'S FIELD HOCKEY, ain't one of 'em... Call me an asshole, but give me a freaking break.
Anyway, back from my miniature rant.

In some sense, I understand that these men were trying to do the honorable thing, but perhaps the only resignation that is required it the coach's. Perhaps also the team captain if he really takes his leadership so personally, but the whole team. Basically, there are some young and really talented players who are also young and impressionable. There is no need for them to resign. I guess they wanted to their commitment to their country as a team and in some way that's a nice gesture, but on the other hand, to leave your country without a national team at all... Well, that's just silly. It takes a few years to prepare a team for an international competition and recruiting is a much longer process. Leaving your home country without a team at all is just backwards.

Well, in the end, Pakistan's hockey organization couldn't possibly accept the resignation of the WHOLE team, so they made the team withdraw their resignations. Maybe the team knew that would happen. Perhaps, they expected it and knew that Pakistan's governing body of hockey couldn't just throw out one resignation, it was all or nothing. Maybe Pakistan's hockey team did this to SAVE all their jobs. It's hard to say, but either way, it was a bizarre piece of news to hear in India.