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| December 20, 2006 | Wednesday | Ziqa'ad 28, 1427 |
POA chief fears further decline in sports
KARACHI, Dec 19: President Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Lt. Gen. Arif Hasan on Tuesday blamed scarcity of funds and resources in country's sports circles besides lack of dedication among the athletes for Pakistan's poor showing at the recently concluded Asian Games in Doha, Qatar.
A 144-member contingent, representing Pakistan in 21 disciplines at the quadrennial continental showpiece, returned home without grabbing a gold medal hence securing only one silver and three bronze medals, the worst ever performance by the country in the history of the Games.
Hasan, who is also president of the Pakistan Sports Trust (PST), minced no words in saying that it was the worst and most disappointing show from the national athletes, insisting even the potential sports like hockey, boxing, sailing and snooker failed to earn one medal.
He stressed the main cause of the debacle was the low standards of facilities for the national athletes as compared to other Asian nations besides the poor interest shown by the athletes themselves.
“We are giving no excuse but we should feel the need of proper infrastructure and long-term policies (in the future) to save country's sports from further deterioration,” Hasan told a press conference here at a local hotel.
Hasan added that Asian Games had also tough opponents as compared to the South Asian Games, which he believed was the other main cause of country’s failure in the December 1-15 Doha Games.
The Pakistan sports chief feared that if no steps were taken to improve the standard of sports the country might face worst results in the future. “If nothing is done for improving the sports facilities then we should expect further decline in the coming events,” he cautioned.
Giving the example of wushu where the national athletes won bronze medal for the first time in the Asian Games, the POA chief said Pakistan has also came out with some positives in Doha besides the downfall in majority of disciplines.
Hasan was of the view that all the national sports federations, athletes, the POA and PST are required to work as a group to save Pakistan from further decline.
He stated that next month the POA, for different sports, would chalk out its long-term planning, which he hoped would help in improving standards of sports in the country.—Agencies
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