ISLAMABAD: In times when most of the country’s athletes are grappling with unemployment and lack of opportunities, a couple of female sportspersons have surprisingly been enjoying dual government jobs.

Sources disclosed that allegedly three tennis players including two sisters are simultaneously are on the payroll of Wapda and Zarai Taraqiati Bank (ZTBL).

Sources in Wapda said on Wednesday that all three tennis players in questions are on the payroll of Wapda Sports Board (WSB).

They said that Wapda recently also wrote a letter (which is available with Dawn) to ZTBL to cross check if these players are also on payroll of ZTBL.

“They [three players] are representing WSB in all national level competitions and participating in WSB inter-unit competition from the date of joining and drawing stipend/salary on a regular basis.

“Reportedly, these players have have been engaged on sports basis with Kisan Sports Service Limited – a subsidiary of ZTBL,” read the letter from Wapda dated October 13,2020.

When contacted, sources in ZTBL said that the three female players were also on payroll of the bank and currently there record is being checked, which would be conveyed to Wapda.

Secretary Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) Col (retried) Gul Rehman said that he has no knowledge about the case. However, he said as a matter of policy, one player should be given job in one government organization. “So maximum number of players can be accommodated,” he said and added that sportsmen should be given jobs by government departments on priority for promotion of sports in the country.

Davis Cupper Mushaf Zia also said that jobs are imperative for players and all government organisations should accommodate them. However, he said that there should be no dual government jobs, as this step reduce opportunities for other deserving players.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2020