Failing to arrest the overall decline of sports in the country, mainly because of the incompetence of the PSB and the POA, some time ago the federal government announced the first ever national sports policy. This was of course done in an effort to revive sporting activities at all levels by taking sports to the grass-roots level with the sole objective of producing world champions in different games.
But the national sports policy was vehemently opposed by a known group of POA mafia as the office-bearers, who have completed two terms of four years, were barred from contesting the elections.
The clause was made controversial by the POA and a good number of its affiliated federations, though even the IOC has barred its office bearers from holding the post for not more than two terms of four years.
Under the national sports policy, the provincial associations, district associations and even at the tehsil level there are comprehensive provisions to take the games at the grass root level.
It was the former PSB Director General, Brig. Saulat Abbas, who made all efforts to get the sports policy implemented against strong opposition of the POA and the national federations. Only 11 federations of the POA, of which Syed Wajid Ali Shah and Latif Butt were the president and secretary respectively, did not implement the policy. Otherwise more than 16 federations adopted the policy.
Brig. Saulat stood his ground and remained fully committed to implementing the national sports policy. But after his retirement, the implementation of the sports policy, perhaps, remained no more a top priority. It is generally said a compromise formula was made to bring 11 federations into the fold of sports policy. And instead of getting the national sports policy implemented in its totality, instead of inquiring into the reasons why it was not implemented, the federal cabinet approved the establishment of the National Sports Trust in December last year. This was done with a seed money of Rs75 million for the development of sports and nurturing the talent at the grassroots level.
General Arif, who is the president of the POA, as well as the Polo Federation, is also the Chairman of the newly formed NST. Recently he addressed a press conference at a Karachi hotel, where he unveiled the Trust’s plans. Establishment of a training academy/boarding school at the Islamabad Sports Complex is part of the Trust’s plans. It’s aim of course will be to training talented youngsters from all over the country under the guidance of foreign coaches. All the expenses will be born by the Trust which will be financial supported by private sector as the government alone cannot promote the game. However, Chairman NST also admited that both the POA and PSB had failed to promote and develop the game in the country.
Pakistan is capable of producing world champions and the country has produced world champions in hockey, squash and snooker, acknowledged the Trust’s chief adding that the legendary Jahangir Khan is among those notables who will be in the NST.
The General also invited members of the media to submit their suggestions. However, one feels that it will be better if the NST publishes its aims and objects in prominent newspapers for a consensus from the public.
Gen. Arif appears committed to make the NST play a positive and effective role in producing world champions. But apprehensions are being expressed that the Trust might meet the same fate as that of the National Sports Policy. And how does the General, who happens to head three national bodies, find time to make the organization an effective organization?
In such a situation, the NST should be led by a retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The POA has more than 25 affiliated federations. With Gen Arif as its president, it can play a vital role in arresting the decline of the national federations, if only they were made accountable. Giving grants to the federations would not help promote the game unless the federations themselves generate funds. Nowhere in the world are the federations run by government funds. The PSB has wasted a lot of public money by over the years, funding substandard athletes for international competitions in collaboration with the POA. The PSB should stop wasting money and divert the public money by creating the much needed infrastructure in the country.
Failing to arrest the overall decline of sports in the country, mainly because of the incompetence of the PSB and the POA, some time ago the federal government announced the first ever national sports policy. This was of course done in an effort to revive sporting activities at all levels by taking sports to the grass-roots level with the sole objective of producing world champions in different games.
