The Guinness Book of World Records (GWR) authorities have finally given a clean chit to the Punjab Sports Board by approving one of its records out of total 33, the PSB has claimed in Youth Festival this year.

The board has made the new record by making a largest national human flag at the National Hockey Stadium early this year. However, the board is still waiting for the confirmation of 32 other records. Media has pointed out that no GWR team came to Pakistan to witness all the 33 records.

According to a communication conveyed by the GWR authorities to the board (a copy is available with Dawn), it confirmed that its adjudicators were not able to travel to Pakistan (due to security problems), and “we do not have representation in Pakistan.”

It further states: “As with any other record attempt where GWR is not present, it is mandatory that two independent witnesses are selected by the organisers to provide authentication statements and collect all necessary evidence to be sent to GWR headquarters in London, where the record is validated if it meets our strict criteria.”

“GWR sent GWR-branded merchandise to PSB to be used by the local witness. The PSB has attempted 33 official Guinness World Record titles. The record for largest human flag has been officially approved and we are now waiting for approving the evidence for other 32 events. We look forward to receiving the evidence from PSB for confirming more official Guinness World Records titles for this event,” the communication concludes.

One is not an admirer of such kind of attempts of the board, as these types of achievements have no standing in the real world of sports. One will again try to suggest the PSB to adopt a more productive way to win laurels for the country in the world of sports. No one can challenge the fact that the achievements only do matter when any country bags medals or participates in the world biggest sports events like Olympics, Asian, Saarc, Beach Games and Youth Olympics, besides World Cups.

Ironically, some vested interests might have misguided the board and it opted for such festivals. One is not against the festivals, but the government should also accept its responsibility in patronising the talented players. For example, Pakistan has the potential to make remarkable achievements in the world in games like hockey, football, baseball, snooker, karate, wrestling, and weightlifting, but heads of these national sports federations are struggling for government patronage. One can suggest the Punjab government to hold festival, but also give proper attention to the national sports, especially which could bag medals. The government must set up a cell to monitor the performance of each sports federation before releasing funds to it. And funds should also be audited.

It is suggested that the Punjab government help the national sports federations. It is a fact that almost 70 to 80 per cent players hail from Punjab in various games. In other words, the country’s sports largely depend on the talent of this province, therefore, considering it a national duty, the responsibility of the Punjab government is also bigger.

An upcoming boxer from Lahore, Shahzaib Khan, has added another feather to his cap, by claiming gold medal in the 56-kg class in the recently concluded All-Pakistan University Championship at Jamshoro, Sindh.

Shahzaib has also earned a gold medal, each in the Youth Festival and Inter-Collegiate Championships in 2013 in the same category.

In the varsity competition, Shahzaib represented University of Central Punjab (UCP) and in the Inter-collegiate, he fought for Punjab College. Shahzaib is the product of Crescent Boxing Club and his mentor Mahmood Butt pinned all hopes on his brilliant student.

“Shahzaib has the potential to earn success for the country at international level, but he needs proper patronage from all including government and boxing federation,” Mahmood Butt said.

Meanwhile, Shahzaib in a chat with Dawn said it was not easy to become an international product in sports, since there was a tough competition at that level. “But I am trying to utilise the available resources properly to achieve a milestone in the world of sports,” he said.

“I appeal to the Punjab and federal governments to give me full support in the form of coaching, training and finance, so that I can win laurels for the country,” he said.