THE country has been passing through its worst-ever sporting crisis since March 3, 2009, when the Sri Lankan cricket team came under attack in Lahore.

And as we approach the sixth anniversary of the incident, the period reminds us of isolation with foreign teams staying away from the country citing security concerns.

That incident followed by Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) saga, brought upon unparalleled damage to Pakistan sports and the foremost is not being able to play any home series in the country.

According to the latest rankings released by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), Pakistan moved up to 10th spot from 11th by securing back-to-back silver medals at the Asian Games and Champions Trophy last year.

Countries like Belgium, Argentina, New Zealand and even India are ahead of Pakistan on the ladder.

Back at the Willesden World Cup in 1986, the Green-shirts reached an unprecedented low of 11th — among 12 nations, one step ahead of India — when they were the Olympic champions having won the title at the Los Angeles in 1984.

But the Pakistan team recovered from that low ebb and managed to regain lost pride in the following years, the 1990 (silver) and 1994 (gold) World Cups in particular.

At present, the future looks bleak as the country’s junior hockey team finished a poor ninth at the Delhi World Cup two years back.

The nation that once ruled the world in field hockey is in a dilemma and there are various reasons for that.

Sports have gone on the back seat as the government has been engulfed with multiple problems. The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is not alone whose funds have been exhausted.

Other sports federations are also looking towards the government’s support and promised rewards for sportsmen. Despite vast abundance of talent, Pakistani athletes who have excelled in global events and won honours for their nation, suffer as those who matter in the corridor of power look the other way round.

This can be judged from the fact that a cheque of Rs5,00,000 was sent to Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Federation (PBSF) to be given to former world amateur snooker champion Mohammad Asif for winning the coveted title at Sofia, Bulgaria, in 2012 — a violation of government’s own directives according to which a team or individual who win the world title will be entitled for a reward of Rs10 million.

In these difficult times when a team or athlete does the nation proud by winning laurels and bringing smiles on the faces of their countrymen, deserves a timely pat on their back.

Justice delayed is justice denied. It is need of the hour that the government should restart patronising sportspersons by setting aside sufficient funds and providing employment opportunities to at least 500 to 1,000 talented athletes of the country in the first step.

If implemented in true sense and bringing youth to stadia, it will change the face of the country in a short span of time. Another option for the government is to impose a Rs1 levy for the development of sports on every consignment at the airport and the seaport that can help raise millions of rupees.

Published in Dawn January 29th, 2015

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