December 21, 2006	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 29, 1427

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KARACHI, Dec 20: The sports pundits of the country are to assemble in Lahore on Dec 30 when the general council of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) meets for the first time in the aftermath of Doha Asian Games debacle to discuss the declining standards of sports besides taking suggesting remedial measures for the same.

The POA secretary, Abdul Khaliq Khan, sent an SOS to the concerned persons last Friday which coincided with Pakistan end to a shameful campaign in Doha. “The overall performance of Pakistan remained below expectations, the reasons of which should be determined by all the concerned federations, POA and PSB, so as to overcome the lapses and weaknesses experienced in these Asian Games,” said the SOS from Khalid.

Pakistan returned with only four medals in the recent edition of the Asiad, managing only a silver in kabaddi and one bronze each in hockey, wushu and squash.

The meeting, among other matters, will also take stock of Pakistan’s performance at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games and Colombo South Asian Games that were also held during the year.

Pakistan who featured in 11 disciplines at the Melbourne meet picked up five medals – 1-4-0 – a gold and a silver in weightlifting, and silvers in hockey, boxing and shooting.

The nations who have gained Independence after Pakistan and left an incredible impact at the Asian and even higher levels, the people who govern country’s sports are still beating the drum for bringing 158 medals – 41-43-72 from Colombo.

The sports administrators have failed to understand that SAG was a small event on the canvas and they are, apparently, satisfied by finishing ahead of Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. It’s just like Pakistan winning Azlan Shah Hockey tournament.