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PAKISTAN’S lacklustre performance at the recently concluded Commonwealth Games has yet again raised the question of why a country of over 200 million people is unable to produce a respectable number of award-winning sportspersons.
The 56 athletes who represented Pakistan in the 12-day extravaganza at Gold Coast, Australia, could only win one gold and four bronze medals.
Mohammad Inam Butt’s gold medal on the penultimate day was in line with the impressive show that Pakistani wrestlers have been putting on at the Games since 1954, but it still could not hide the uninspiring performance of the other athletes.
In the 13 editions in which Pakistan has competed, the wrestlers have scooped up as many as 42 of the total 75 medals that the country has won so far.
But the cupboard has been pretty bare otherwise. The debilitating standards of hockey, which used to be a guaranteed medal sport at one time, have cost Pakistan dearly during the past two decades.
It was no different this time and the four drawn games played by the team, including one against the lowly ranked Wales side, led to its ouster from the semi-final race.
Poor infrastructure and governance have not helped. Lack of facilities at the grass roots is another challenge, especially for athletes belonging to the rural areas.
Despite possessing natural talent and a will to excel, their progress is often hampered by lack of social mobility and facilities.
Besides, there is hardly any transparency in the selection of players, while the ineptitude of sports administrators running many sports bodies as personal fiefdoms have caused considerable damage. If our athletes are still doing well it is despite the system, not because of it.
There is an alarming need to put away the ills harming sports, to bring in sincere, competent people to run sports affairs and to take stringent steps to ensure that hefty grants do not go to waste and are properly utilised to upgrade the existing infrastructure and impart modern training.
In short, a complete overhaul is the order of the day.
Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2018
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Comments (25) Closed
The lacklustre performance is because of one simple reason. You are not honest and dedicated to your profession. Its not just limited to atheletes. Teachers, doctors, engineers, you just name it. Think of the officials who are accompanying these poor folks. I hope you understand what I mean.
You are not following a profession because you want to follow it. You are following it because, in the perspective of our society, if ABC is following it, you want to follow it too, even if you are not dedicated to it, even if you do not have will, determination and perseverence, to put in time and efforts to excel in it.
Pakistan does have sports activities at school level like those in other countries. In a country where private schools are the ONLY schools for education, how would they able to gain that athletic skill. Especially when the private schools mostly do not have proper school grounds.
Not a significant political benefit supporting athletes.
As per the article pakistan has won only 75 medals in the entire history of CWG. So looks like sports was never a priority at any point of time and it is something that needs to be developed. Just for comparison India has won a total of 504 medals since the inception of CWG and is currently placed 4th in total CWG history.
The performance was in sync with the history, so why blame this performance? We are not a sporting country for some odd reason. Many poorer developing countries are producing more medal winners that leads one to believe that there is something terribly wrong with us as a nation.
Pakistan should host one big game and automatically the infrastructure will get developed
Obsession with cricket in Pakistan is the root cause of poor performance in the other games. Here in India we have come out if it and this is the reason India has been consistently improving in other sports. Government of India's well planned and executed programmes (the latest being 'Khelo India') have given positive results.
The state of sports is reflective of overall state of education and development in the country. Stop population explosion i.e., decrease birth rates, increase the percentage of educated people in the society and improve the quality of education imparted on students, meaning all students, not just in the rich localities within large cities. You will see the results in all spheres of life !
Yes. It is right a complete overhauling is needed.
Great analysis. However, in the corridors of power in Islamabad, dominated by the two corrupt bald brothers and their cunning and crooked cronies, who cares?
Once upon a time Pakistan was ruling the world in Cricket, Hockey and Squash. We have been shining in Snooker, Badminton, wrestling, Kabaddi,volleyball and other sports even without official support. India has won 13 Gold medals. The story of wrestler Wasim is now public. There is no dearth of talent. Government and organizations like PIA, Railway, Banks, Army, Customs and Police have stopped patronage. Except for cricket the retired players of other sports are leading miserable life in poverty and there is no program of their rehabilitation at national level. Corruption and politics in sports have eaten away everything.
No matter what comment we write here, does anyone believe that anything is likely to change?
Pakistani athletes look weak.
@Tahsin Shah correction please.. india have won 26 gold medals.
Basic problem is that Pakistani athletes are fed on a terrible diet. Too much fatty, oily meat. Other countries are promoting healthier choices not just for athletes but for normal citizens also.
@Wahab Correction, India was 3rd with 66 Medals, behind Australia and England.
If a country host a big event, the infrastructure remains there for decades. So one try and once success, will lead Pak to big way
@JA-Australia "No matter what comment we write here, does anyone believe that anything is likely to change"
Nope.
Forget medals. If a country wants to be healthy then develop sports culture.
In terms of sports, Pakistan is lacking because 90% of our population is undernourished. In terms of hockey,This was well documented during last years World Cup when the players complained of not having a big enough stipend to eat full meals and thus being out of gas during the matches.
Athletics are DANGEROUS. Punjab government banned all athletics in its schools and even suspended teachers who disobey orders.
@Kailash Singh must comment on the amazing women athletes of India.in every category including those which in the past were considered male preserves -Indian girls have excelled. Boxing,Weightlifting, wrestling, Shooting.Gymnastics the list goes on and on. Hats off to our women
Pakistani too weak. Others too strong.
Pakistan has so many important issues that need addressing such as education, health, transport, etc that sport pales into insignificance. School and community sport has value from a health perspective, but international sport competitions should not divert funds from more vital concerns.
Simple reason is that Pakistanis are not strong enough. They need stamina and endurance, all the meat they boast about eating is clearly not working.