Does anyone else think Pakistan should invest more in sports other than cricket?

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Monday that the government aims to build sports grounds in every union council of the country under Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive.

He made these remarks while addressing the launch ceremony of the initiative at the Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad.

Khan said that the provincial governments of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab had constructed 300 and 260 sports stadiums, respectively, in three years. Their target was to double the numbers in the next two years. “We want a ground in every neighbourhood, in every union council,” he said.

PM Khan said that through this initiative, the government aims to train the country’s youth for international competitions.

The premier said sports are essential for youth as they keep them fit and away from bad habits.

“Over 70% of the population of Pakistan is under the age of 30 years. For them, we have decided to construct grounds,” Khan said.

PM Khan advised the youngster not to get disheartened from setbacks in life, adding working hard was the key to getting desired results.

“Having spent 21 years on the international sports ground, I can tell you one thing for true: sports teach you how to accept and embrace defeat,” the premier said.

“You stop getting heartbroken from defeat but learn from it. And this is the greatest quality of a human being — to face all the difficulties and problems instead of surrendering to them, he pointed out.

“Sports prepare you for life. It teaches you to analyse your flaws and come up with solutions to eliminate them. It also helps you stay grounded during your successes.”

Under ‘Kamyab Jawan Sports Drive’, 12 different games for males and 10 for females would be arranged across 25 regions under the talent hunt programme. The age bracket for both has been set at 11-25 years. Games for males included football, cricket, hockey, badminton, boxing, handball, judo, squash, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling.

For young females, the games would be badminton, cricket, football, hockey, boxing, handball, judo, squash, table tennis, and volleyball.

After the conclusion of the games, the selected pool of talent would then compete in a national league under the program. Under the programme, the government will establish high-performance centres in 12 universities.

The sports academies would be set up in various varsities including Bahauddin Zakariya University, University of Punjab, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, University of Karachi, Sindh Agriculture University, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari, University of Peshawar, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, International Islamic University, Quetta University and Karakoram International University, Gilgit Baltistan.

https://www.brecorder.com/news/4013...lity-under-kamyab-jawan-sports-drive-pm-imran

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Massive youth attendance at Kamyab Jawan talent hunt programmme in Islamabad on Monday. <a href="https://t.co/TfLu4VcxpC">pic.twitter.com/TfLu4VcxpC</a></p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1468437968771768325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are reforming our sports structure and making more sports grounds so we can make Pakistan a great sporting nation.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/1468438487296839680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The football for the Champions League final which was Made in Pakistan <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLfinal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UCLfinal</a> <a href="https://t.co/Kw67NNjYpv">pic.twitter.com/Kw67NNjYpv</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1530976494591397893?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 29, 2022</a></blockquote>
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[Cpt. Rishwat]

Tennis is another game Pakistan should invest in. One of the best individual sports, and I could easily see winners emerging if they took it seriously.

 

[ElRaja]

Tennis is another game Pakistan should invest in. One of the best individual sports, and I could easily see winners emerging if they took it seriously.

I'm not too sure tbh, most of the top players train in either western Europe or north America, even working class kids in the UK find it impossible to get into because tour and equipment costs are so high.

a decent racket is hundreds of pounds, accommodation and travel to events runs into thousands of pounds, just restringing rackets is nearly £20 nows. i knew a kid from a fairly well to do background and the grind is crazy.

pakistan does not have the infrastructure for tennis, nor does it have coaching or local competitions, the whole thing is crazy expensive, even huge countries like china and India have struggled to produce top level mens tennis players consistently recently.

badminton would be a cheaper alternative, but i don't think pak have ever produced any world class badminton players.

 

[JaDed]

I'm not too sure tbh, most of the top players train in either western Europe or north America, even working class kids in the UK find it impossible to get into because tour and equipment costs are so high.

a decent racket is hundreds of pounds, accommodation and travel to events runs into thousands of pounds, just restringing rackets is nearly £20 nows. i knew a kid from a fairly well to do background and the grind is crazy.

pakistan does not have the infrastructure for tennis, nor does it have coaching or local competitions, the whole thing is crazy expensive, even huge countries like china and India have struggled to produce top level mens tennis players consistently recently.

badminton would be a cheaper alternative, but i don't think pak have ever produced any world class badminton players.

Badminton is tough(esp Against China and Southeast Asia ) but its a way of life in majority of Indian states, most hostels and colleges have it but India won Thomson Cup only after Gopichand’s 10 year of academy struggle..

 

[MenInG]

The federal government on Friday allocated Rs3,472 million for Pakistan’s sports sector during the fiscal year 2022-23 as compared to last year’s allocation of Rs 3734 million.

The budget includes twelve ongoing and seven new development schemes with Rs400 million being set aside for the Narowal Sports City project.

The project, which didn’t get enough attention during Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf tenure, has been given Rs400 million.

According to the budget documents, Rs1,000 million have been earmarked for 250 mini sports complexes, Rs200 million for holding the National Games and Rs5 million for revamping sports facilities in Kashmore.

It must be noted that Kashmore is the constituency of Ehsan Ur Rehman Mazari, who replaced Dr Fehmida Mirza as the Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC).

https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/40010471/budget-for-sports-sector-cut-down-to-rs347-billion

 

[ElRaja]

so paks sports budget is about $17 million dollars, or which half is ear marked for construction projects, which in of themselves will do nothing to develop sports, that leaves about $9 million for everything else.

now lets assume 60% of the population is under 30, that leave an average spend of 7c per every person under 30.

of course the reality is worse, cos each sport has its own board, with employees who will leech of this money before it can reach any athlete.

pak is not developing anything until there is private sector demand for sports. pak's economy is simply not big enough to support sports development.

 

[MenInG]

Pak sports showing no signs of ANY improvement - same reports in every event of neptosim/good talent being ignored etc

When will this improve?

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Shouid be a matter of urgency. Would have thought IK would have been focusing on this instead of corridors and university cities to appease Indians

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

When you have a government who need not think who is trying to coup me out then they can focus on sports and RnD. IK probably would have if there were no issues with stability of his government.

 

[Savak]

Men's Cricket began to attract private sponsorship because of success and on field performances.

Why should the govt or private entities put down funds with no guarantee of a return on investment?

The athletes need to perform and earn the investment first. This is how it works every where in the world

 

[Saj]

Watching the hockey, the swimmers, the squash players, all so poor.

A lack of investment it seems?

 

[JaDed]

Men's Cricket began to attract private sponsorship because of success and on field performances.

Why should the govt or private entities put down funds with no guarantee of a return on investment?

The athletes need to perform and earn the investment first. This is how it works every where in the world

Nope that’s not how it works, Most governments incentivize sports, colleges too.

Example in India - Haryana and North East are good examples, while yes the athletes do work a lot on their own but governments do take care of their top sports personalities. Neeraj Chopra is an example as well.

You are confusing Team sports with individual ones.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Even if results are poor , you need to invest in sports at some point which will help poor and few vulnerable sections away from drugs/ terrorism/ crime eg..

You will see the benefits after a generation or two. India started investing in non cricket games post 2008 Olympics. We ave still not turned a corner but getting better slowly, it will take time, probably another 5-10 years.

 

[Saj]

I feel sorry for some of the Pakistani athletes having to compete at the highest level.

So many of them look underprepared, unfit and simply not ready for top level competition.

Poor facilities, a lack of investment, sifarish. All ongoing issues.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Yes. You should also allow more women to take up sports as they win 50 or more % of medals.


Indian have sent 210 athletes out of which 104 are women. Canada have sent 142 out of 268. Singapore have sent 34 out of 67. England 229 out of 437. Australia 231 out of 430.

SA have sent 124 out of 228. NZ 125 out of 233.


Pakistan 25 out of 68

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Sports Board (PSB)'s Director General - Colonel (R) Asif Zaman announced PKR5 million for gold medalist Nooh Dastagir Butt and PKR1 million for silver medalist Hussain Shah.

On Wednesday, Judoka Shah opened the medal account for Pakistan in Commonwealth Games 2022 after winning bronze in Men's 90kg event.

Butt followed by Shah, bagged the first gold medal for the country, lifting a record weight of 405kg in the 109+kg category of weightlifting event.

"Nooh Butt and Hussain Shah have made us proud by winning medals in Commonwealth Games," the PSB boss said. "For their convincing victory, PSB announce PKR5 million for Nooh and PKR1 million for Hussain," the DG PSB shared.

Zaman ensured that the medalists in Commonwealth Games 2022 will receive a heroic welcome in the country.

Also, the PSB chief announced PKR2 million each if any athlete wins silver medal.

 

[MenInG]

First remote sign of success and these guys come running in to claim credit....

==

Pakistan Sports Board (PSB)'s Director General Colonel (Retd) Asif Zaman took complete credit for preparing weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt and Judoka Hussain Shah for Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022.

In a video message soon after Nooh bagged Gold and Hussain won bronze in CWG 2022, PSB released a video of its DG in which he not only announced cash prizes for the medalists but also took full credit for this achievement.

"We arranged one-year-long training camps and hired foreign coaches for our athletes," Zaman claimed.

 

[sweep_shot]

I recently saw a video of Pakistani rugby team. Never knew they play rugby.

 

[Saj]

Wrestlers doing ok in the Commonwealth Games but you have to remember that this is just Commonwealth nations and so many of the top nations don't compete in these games.

Hockey, Squash have been a disaster at the Commonwealth Games.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Even if results are poor , you need to invest in sports at some point which will help poor and few vulnerable sections away from drugs/ terrorism/ crime eg..

You will see the benefits after a generation or two. India started investing in non cricket games post 2008 Olympics. We ave still not turned a corner but getting better slowly, it will take time, probably another 5-10 years.

I'm surprised by how good Indians are at tennis now. Not long before a player hits top 100 on ATP tour

 

[gazza619]

If i was PM, i would have take half of the monies spent on defence and invest in sports.

Its only the sportsmen & sportswomen who can give a good name to our country.

 

[ElRaja]

If i was PM, i would have take half of the monies spent on defence and invest in sports.

Its only the sportsmen & sportswomen who can give a good name to our country.

then army would start competing in all sports and take the money back

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A very good effort from Pakistan's wrestlers in the Commonwealth Games. 3 Silver medals and 2 Bronze medals is an excellent achievement <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CommonwealthGames2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CommonwealthGames2022</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CWG2022?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CWG2022</a> <a href="https://t.co/ilCrLVkOq1">pic.twitter.com/ilCrLVkOq1</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/SajSadiqCricket/status/1555992681582628866?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2022</a></blockquote>
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==

This is great but just shows what we could have really achieved had proper investment been done in sports.

 

[MenInG]

Listen to Zaman Anwar and tell me if it doesn't make you cry.

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[sa88]

But the sports board wallas have to eat and take their families on foreign trips. The athletes should be more understanding.

 

[moghul]

Probably not in long distance running but Pakistan has great talent in boxing, wrestling, wt lifting and other "power sports " .

 

[GreenBee]

Probably not in long distance running but Pakistan has great talent in boxing, wrestling, wt lifting and other "power sports " .

Evidence for it has been very poor tbh. Even among South Asians, they are lagging far behind from what I have seen.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Evidence for it has been very poor tbh. Even among South Asians, they are lagging far behind from what I have seen.

They have power, need to learn technique, need good training and coaching which needs money

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

I guess in 2024 Olympics, Pakistan has outside chances in javelin. Any other event where they can win a medal ?

 

[Villager6964]

I guess in 2024 Olympics, Pakistan has outside chances in javelin. Any other event where they can win a medal ?

LOL at outside chance. He just became the first south Asian man to throw 90 metres and that too with an injury.

He surely gonna win the medal maybe even the gold but Anderson peters will come back and have revenge and he can throw further than 90 metres.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

LOL at outside chance. He just became the first south Asian man to throw 90 metres and that too with an injury.

He surely gonna win the medal maybe even the gold but Anderson peters will come back and have revenge and he can throw further than 90 metres.

You are forgetting Czech, German throwers all have 90+ records plus Grenedian guy. You can't say he will win for sure. What he did today was his life time best, if he does that consistently you can pin your hopes.

 

[MenInG]

You are forgetting Czech, German throwers all have 90+ records plus Grenedian guy. You can't say he will win for sure. What he did today was his life time best, if he does that consistently you can pin your hopes.

Main thing is he has to remain injury free and also needs to win more events before that

 

[MenInG]

Once again, topic of this thread is about lack of investment in Pakistan sports.

Stick to it.

 

[MenInG]

Not sure if Shoaib has been following these sports in Pakistan.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">- The results of official trainings & supervision have reflected in the Gold Medals we have bagged recently in Common Wealth Games. I wish to see the same passion & winning attitude from our female athletes, let us all collectively support them in making it to the podium... <a href="https://t.co/EbVXJcTliO">pic.twitter.com/EbVXJcTliO</a></p>— Shoaib Malik &#55356;&#56821;&#55356;&#56816; (@realshoaibmalik) <a href="https://twitter.com/realshoaibmalik/status/1556620978066702337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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[AamchiMumbaikar]

Main thing is he has to remain injury free and also needs to win more events before that

He has to skip events, prioritise the main ones. Goal is to stay injury free for World champs, Olympics.

 

[Xoib]

I think weight lifting,wrestling, Boxing (we quite decent at Asia level a few years back) and few disciplines of Athletics should be focused and givin priority with continuous effort for atleast 10 years we could have olympic medal prospects in these sports as there is enough raw material to work on.

 

[JaDed]

Another thing could be promoting women’s sports as well, India get medals from our women as well.

Sindhu has already won two Olympic medals and two CWG gold.(And other Podium finishes)

 

[Xoib]

Another thing could be promoting women’s sports as well, India get medals from our women as well.

Sindhu has already won two Olympic medals and two CWG gold.(And other Podium finishes)

Woman medals is a fair point but I guess due to cultural issues we may not be able to fully utilise it in the near future but wrestling, weightlifting ,athletics and boxing should be tapped into as I think there is enough talent already in this to harness.

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Woman medals is a fair point but I guess due to cultural issues we may not be able to fully utilise it in the near future but wrestling, weightlifting ,athletics and boxing should be tapped into as I think there is enough talent already in this to harness.

Malaysia and Indonesia send a lot of women athletes.

 

[Xoib]

Malaysia and Indonesia send a lot of women athletes.

Malaysia and Indonesia are.progressive societies we are not hence I used the word cultural and not Islamic

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Malaysia and Indonesia are.progressive societies we are not hence I used the word cultural and not Islamic

They're also very diverse ethnically and religiously. They're far from archetypal 'Muslim countries' though any new empire will definitely be more Malaysian

 

[Villager6964]

You are forgetting Czech, German throwers all have 90+ records plus Grenedian guy. You can't say he will win for sure. What he did today was his life time best, if he does that consistently you can pin your hopes.

Johannes vetter is the real threat even he is out of any competition this year due to injury but he will be back and he is the real threat to all these guys as i think he has the most 90 plus metres throws with 97 being his best.

If he comes back with 100 percent fitness he is gonna wipe the competition.

Anderson peters is also very good and he is definitely another contender and i m very surprised he didn't win this commonwealth competition.

But if arshad can throw 90 metres with an injury he can throw it further than that with full fitness and i hope he comes back with full fitness and give great competition to all these guys.

 

[jattafridi]

If Arshad Nadeem wins Olympic gold medal 2024

He will get more than 20 crore rupees in just gifts

support him in every way

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif heaped praise on star national athletes Arshad Nadeem and Nooh Dastagir Butt during his Independence Day address to the nation on Saturday.

Pakistan, on Sunday, will be completing 75 years of independence from British rule after the partition of the sub-continent.

"Arshad Nadeem, Nooh Butt, and our other athletes made us proud in Commonwealth Games 2022 (CWG) this month. On this occasion, I would like to recognize their passion and determination for our country," the premier said during his address.

Arshad and Nooh made Pakistan proud by winning Gold medals in their respective events during the recently concluded Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham.

Nooh secured a Gold medal for Pakistan in 109+kg weightlifting. He lifted 173kg in snatch, setting a new CWG record. In clean and jerk, Butt lifted 232kg to set another record. Overall, Butt lifted 405kg, which was also a CWG record.

Meanwhile, Arshad also made history in Men's Javelin throw event as he finished first after managing to throw at 90.18 metres in his fifth attempt, setting a new national and Commonwealth Games record.

The 25-year-old also won Pakistan's first Gold medal in Commonwealth Games athletics since 1962.

Wrestlers Inam Butt, Sharif Tahir, and Zaman Anwar secured Silver medals, while wresters Ali Asad and Inayatullah won Bronze medals.

In Judo, Shah Hussain also claimed a Bronze medal.

It should be mentioned here that Pakistan secured two Gold medals, three Silvers and as many Bronze medals in the Commonwealth Games 2022.

GeoSuper

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will honor the national heroes, who won medals for Pakistan in Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022 and Islamic Solidarity Games 2022, on August 22 here at PM House.

Pakistan bagged overall eight medals in CWG 2022. Arshad Nadeem (Javelin Throw) and Nooh Dastagir Butt (Weightlifting) won Gold medals, Inam Butt (Wrestling), Zaman Anwar (Wrestling) and Mohammad Sharif Tahir (Wrestling) bagged Silver medals, whereas Inayatullah (Wrestler), Ali Asad (Wrestler) Hussain Shah (Judo) got their hands on Bronze medals.

While Arshad bagged a Gold medal so far in Islamic Solidarity Games which are currently underway in Turkey.

Apart from Arshad, all the medalists have now reached the country where they received a heroic welcome. Gold medalist Javelin Thrower will arrive in the country today.

All the athletes have been called for the honorary ceremony at the PM House on August 28. PM Shahbaz will present cash awards to the medalists as per country's sports policy.

CWG Gold medalists Arshad Nadeem and Nooh Dastagir Butt will receive PKR5 Million, Silver medalists Inam Butt, Zaman Anwar and Mohammad Sharif Tahir will earn PKR2 Million whereas Bronze medalists Inayatullah, Hussain Shah, and Ali Asad will bag PKR1 Million.

Arshad will also receive PKR5 Million separately for winning a Gold medal in Islamic Games 2022.

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will honor the national heroes, who won medals for Pakistan in Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022 and Islamic Solidarity Games 2022, on August 22 here at PM House.

Pakistan bagged overall eight medals in CWG 2022. Arshad Nadeem (Javelin Throw) and Nooh Dastagir Butt (Weightlifting) won Gold medals, Inam Butt (Wrestling), Zaman Anwar (Wrestling) and Mohammad Sharif Tahir (Wrestling) bagged Silver medals, whereas Inayatullah (Wrestler), Ali Asad (Wrestler) Hussain Shah (Judo) got their hands on Bronze medals.

While Arshad bagged a Gold medal so far in Islamic Solidarity Games which are currently underway in Turkey.

Apart from Arshad, all the medalists have now reached the country where they received a heroic welcome. Gold medalist Javelin Thrower will arrive in the country today.

All the athletes have been called for the honorary ceremony at the PM House on August 28. PM Shahbaz will present cash awards to the medalists as per country's sports policy.

CWG Gold medalists Arshad Nadeem and Nooh Dastagir Butt will receive PKR5 Million, Silver medalists Inam Butt, Zaman Anwar and Mohammad Sharif Tahir will earn PKR2 Million whereas Bronze medalists Inayatullah, Hussain Shah, and Ali Asad will bag PKR1 Million.

Arshad will also receive PKR5 Million separately for winning a Gold medal in Islamic Games 2022.

Instead of a proper program to incentivize etc we have these adhoc payments based upon what Sharif had for breakfast in the morning!

 

[MenInG]

Wasim Khan in an interview about Pakistan athletes:

“The self funding of athletes is absolutely wrong as it doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world. If these athletes are funding themselves then obviously they will be forced to cut across things like nutritional health or physical fitness. When the athletes think they have to do all of these things for themselves, they will definitely make compromises on a few things to save money,”

 

[daytrader]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistan's bodybuilding star Ramiz Ibrahim won 3 World Titles in Thailand last week,beating India also.But NO appreciation from any official or govt.He took loan to bear his travel costs and he has to return the loan now.We need to appreciate, help and respect our national heroes <a href="https://t.co/qzQRUnTSE2">pic.twitter.com/qzQRUnTSE2</a></p>— Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) <a href="https://twitter.com/SarfarazA_54/status/1610323014721191939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

Pretty sad ^^

 

[sweep_shot]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pakistan's bodybuilding star Ramiz Ibrahim won 3 World Titles in Thailand last week,beating India also.But NO appreciation from any official or govt.He took loan to bear his travel costs and he has to return the loan now.We need to appreciate, help and respect our national heroes <a href="https://t.co/qzQRUnTSE2">pic.twitter.com/qzQRUnTSE2</a></p>— Sarfaraz Ahmed (@SarfarazA_54) <a href="https://twitter.com/SarfarazA_54/status/1610323014721191939?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sad but not surprising.

It is same as how very few care about cricket in North America. Different regions have different sporting priorities.

 

[Stronguess]

I'm not too sure tbh, most of the top players train in either western Europe or north America, even working class kids in the UK find it impossible to get into because tour and equipment costs are so high.

a decent racket is hundreds of pounds, accommodation and travel to events runs into thousands of pounds, just restringing rackets is nearly £20 nows. i knew a kid from a fairly well to do background and the grind is crazy.

pakistan does not have the infrastructure for tennis, nor does it have coaching or local competitions, the whole thing is crazy expensive, even huge countries like china and India have struggled to produce top level mens tennis players consistently recently.

badminton would be a cheaper alternative, but i don't think pak have ever produced any world class badminton players.

Actually we’ve been able to produce world class badminton players they also have been stunted just like any other sport in the country. Tariq Wadood and Javed Iqbal used to be World number 2 doubles pair for men, and I believe Tariq Wadood had singles success as well

Tariq Wadood also has senior play success as well, but he plays in the USA now, can watch some of his games on YouTube, still killing it as a man in his 60s

I know this because my dad and uncle were under the wings of these forgotten legends, they also went on to become former national champions of Pakistan in doubles with international success back in the 80s and 90s

 

[MenInG]

On Islamabad’s outskirts, burly men bind together in a scrum on a rugby pitch that has seen better days. The sign bearing the club’s name is worn. The floodlights are too costly to use, given high electricity prices and the paltry $135 total that the club earns in membership fees every month.

Watching the players, coach Mohammed Zahir Uddin said ruefully: “There’s only one game in Pakistan.”

That would be cricket, the country’s most popular sport, a juggernaut when it comes to sponsorship, broadcasting rights and capturing the public’s imagination.

Cricket has totally eclipsed other sports, even ones Pakistan excelled at. Field hockey, Pakistan’s national sport, once propelled the country to Olympic gold and global glory, but it has waned in popularity and participation. Pakistan dominated the squash world for decades, only to become a shadow of its former self.

Prospects are even bleaker for a sport like rugby, which has no heyday or heroes in Pakistan.

“There’s no support from the bodies that there ought to be in terms of funding, spreading the word,” said Hammad Safdar, who captains Pakistan’s national rugby team. “The majority of sports have the same issue. That’s why, in terms of performance, in the later stages when there’s a test, we lack because there’s no foundation.”

Pakistan hosts the South Asian Games next year, the biggest sporting tournament to be held in the country for 20 years. It won 143 medals the last time it hosted, including 38 gold. But years of neglect of sports could affect its medal tally this time.

Advocates of sports under cricket’s shadow say they don’t have the environment to thrive or take top prizes, with a lack of investment and interest. Even universally loved soccer has its struggles in Pakistan. Infighting and government interference have led to suspensions from the global body FIFA, stunting its growth at home and chances overseas.

Pakistan, with a population of 220 million, has a national government sports budget of around $15.3 million, far smaller than others in the region. The Pakistan Sports Board, which oversees all sports in the country and their federations, did not respond to interview requests.

Rugby gets no government money but a grant from the global rugby body. If it needs more, it asks the chairman or president of the Pakistan Rugby Union to give from their own pockets.

The national rugby pitch in the eastern city of Lahore is on army land. It lacks changing rooms. It has no seating, so organizers rent chairs for tournaments. Rugby development coach Shakeel Malik concedes it’s hard to attract funding without results, but that it’s hard to get results without funding.

Cricket, which gets no government funding, has a budget of around $66 million. It shot into the stratosphere with a 1992 World Cup win by a national team captained by Imran Khan, who later went on to enter politics and served as prime minister from 2018-2022.

Pakistan has never dominated cricket the way it once did in in squash and hockey; it has only two world championships to its name, and the national team is notoriously unpredictable. But it’s a big business with infrastructure to nurture talent, a thirst for empire building, rampant commercialism, and a steady supply of domestic and international matches for TV. It’s so embedded in Pakistani life that the prime minister approves the appointment of the cricket board chairman.

Its rise in the 1990s coincided with the beginning of the end for hockey and squash.

Pakistan was the superpower of squash for decades, winning the British Open 17 years in a row by 1963. Specifically, one family, the Khans, ruled the sport. The last of the dynasty — Jahangir Khan, a former World No. 1 racket-wielding machine — was unbeaten for hundreds of matches. He won the British Open 10 years in a row until his final victory in 1991.

Khan told The Associated Press that even he doesn’t understand how the family amassed as many trophies as they did, without facilities and investment. “Even today, Pakistan’s name comes first in squash, and so does this family’s name,” he said, speaking at the squash complex named after him in Karachi.

He’s pained by its decline. Pakistan is now 65th in the world men’s squash rankings. Khan said the sport failed to build on his family’s legacy.

He argues that mismanagement had undermined the sport and that players need to show more achievement to attract sponsorship. “If people have set a bar, it’s up to you to make the most of it and build on it. Funding is not a solution. You produced a world champion when you had nothing.”

And there is also cricket’s stranglehold. “It’s not necessary to have all the talent playing one thing,” he said.

In the heyday of field hockey, people turned out in the tens of thousands to watch matches, said Samiullah Khan, a player who helped win Pakistan a stack of medals in the sport at the Olympics, World Cup and Asian Games until the 1990s.

“It hurts my heart” to see the current state of hockey, he said. He said Pakistan’s teams didn’t adjust to changes like the synthetic turf and rule-changes in Europe that, in his view, turned the sport into “a free-for-all.”

“Hockey became like any other sport, like rugby. The power left, the skill left,” he said.

But there is hope, and a love that lingers for hockey. In a Karachi suburb, about a dozen young women pad up for practice on a team with the Karachi Hockey Association.

Kashmala Batool, 30, has been playing hockey for almost half her life. “It’s our national game,” she said. “Despite it not getting support or government funding, the enjoyment we get playing our national game can’t be found in any other.”

Shazma Naseem, the goalkeeper, started out in college and has been playing at the national level for five years. She sees the enthusiasm her parents still have for the sport and feels a duty to keep it going.

“It’s absolutely our job, to have played hockey so well, to have made our name in it, so that future generations know about hockey, that this is also a game.”

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/cri...sedgntp&cvid=52a03906011942c89864be4413af368e

 

[Mirpuri Don]

Adam Azim, 20, a British-Pakistani (roots in AJK) pro boxer is targeting a European title in a few days, already having 7 wins (6 KOs) under his belt.

He's considered the best young boxing prospect in the country, and many others "potential futur champs" are British-Pakistanis as well (Hamza Sheeraz, ...)

That's without mentioning the world champions already produced, the most obvious being Amir Khan.

British-Pakistanis are just over 1 million... "Pakistani-Pakistanis" are nearly 250 million, that is x250 more.

But can they compare the boxing talent?

Of course, it hasn't to do with "genetics" as Brit-Pak's don't go to the UK based on genes/fitness, but with opportunities.

I'm not saying that you'll have 250 Amir Khan's, but if investments/media coverage/etc was even 5% (UK will always have more resources and middle-class people than Pakistan) you'd have many boxing champs even aiming at continental if not world titles.

Now generalize this to football, etc.

If the govt gets serious there's potential everywhere.

 

[MenInG]

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Friday approved the National Sports Policy 2022-27 through a notification in an effort to stage renaissance in country’s sports and restore past glory through engagement of youth in sports activities at grassroots level.

Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) Ehsanur Rehman Mazari and his team headed by secretary IPC Ahmad Hanif Orakzai jointly made special efforts to improve the existing document by making it more practical and result-producing and at the same time ensuring that every stakeholder plays his part in improving overall standard of sports nationally and internationally.


The policy, available exclusively with ‘The News’, aims at active engagement of youth in sports and healthy activities at all levels to curb extremism as well as drug abuse.

The approval of sports policy is an effort to make Pakistan a sports-loving country by harnessing the power of sports to inspire positive social change and promoting values of tolerance and fair play.

The salient features of the sports policy include development and promotion of sports in Pakistan by encouraging sportspersons, organising sports tournaments, provide coaching, and improve, sports facilities and all levels to achieve excellence in sports at regional and global levels.

The second feature aims at effectively regulating sports bodies, federations, clubs and teams through transparent and streamlined governance to depoliticise sports’ administration and selection.

Other features includes greater functional accountability and coordination amongst all provincial and regional stakeholders/interested parties while also restructuring sports governance system in the country.

The policy also highlighted the need to foster sports culture in the country, promote sports at the grassroots level with special focus on less developed areas, prepare players for better performance in national and international competitions, promote sports tourism, organise international sports events in Pakistan, organise sports leagues in different sports disciplines with collaboration of the private sector and sport diplomacy through strengthening international collaboration.

After a critical appraisal of the existing legal framework and National Sports Policy 2005. National Sports Policy 2022-27 has been deemed under the Constitution and Sports (Development and Control) Ordinance 1962.

Furthermore, the new Constitution of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has been promulgated and notified in January, 2022 for better sports governance system in the country.

Approval of the Federal Sports Coordination Committee has also been given. The Federal Sports Coordination Committee (FSCC) will facilitate and coordinate promotion of sports through proactive engagement of Provincial Governments and uniformity of policy for Integration with education, infrastructure development, sports fund at provincial level, conduct of Inter-Provincial Games and any other task relating to sports.

The FSCC will comprise federal minister dealing with sports (chairperson), federal secretary dealing with sports (member), sports ministers of all provinces including AJK, GB and DG PSB.

The sports policy draft also clarified that the PSB’s role will be to promote, develop, supervise, regulate all forms of domestic and international sports excluding cricket, to affiliate National Sports Federations and sports bodies, to consider and recommend the affiliation of the National Sports Federations to respective International Governing Sports bodies, to facilitate NSFs in organisation of national-level Youth, Junior, and Senior tournaments, to send a representative to observe the election process of POA, provide technical, and where necessary, financial assistance to NSF's, develop sports infrastructure in Pakistan, arrange and secure domestic and foreign training facilities and scholarships for players, umpires, coaches, support personnel and other officials, promote and develop standards of national fitness as well as standards of competition, comparable to international standards.

All provincial governments including regions i.e. AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan should formulate their sports policies, based on the principles and guidelines outlined in this policy.

Each province through its respective provincial sports board, will supervise the affairs of provincial sports associations and will allocate a reasonable/appropriate sports budget for sports related activities.

Provinces will ensure to make their Sports Offices at Tehsil, District and Divisional levels to implement sports policy in letter and spirit.

The role of district associations in sports promotion has been, hitherto, neglected and they ought to be revived at grassroots levels. The Provincial Sports Boards shall provide training to coaches by inviting international experts or by sending them abroad for coaching whenever needed. Provincial Sports Board shall make efforts to educate the sportsmen about the negative effects of doping.

GEOSuper

 

[MenInG]

The development budget for the sports sector has significantly been reduced, with the government allocating Rs1.9 billion to the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordi*nation (IPC) for 14 ongoing and three new sports projects.

Last year, the government earmarked Rs3.4bn for 12 ongoing and seven new schemes.

Despite sports having devolved after the 18th constitutional amendment, the IPC ministry regulates the sports sector at federal level.

According to budget documents, Rs20 million has been earmarked for a new scheme titled “Revamping and provision of sports facilities at Kashmore”.

The total cost of this project, in the district that is the constituency of IPC Minister Ehsanur Rehman Mazari, is Rs950m.

Meanwhile, Rs30m has been allocated to build 250 mini sports complexes — at the cost of Rs130m — while Rs150m given for National Games.

For the ongoing major projects, Rs103m has been allocated for building and repairing roads, footpaths, etc., at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad, and Rs120m for setting up Bio Mechanical Lab.

Similarly, Rs100 million has been allocated for hiring of foreign coaches for training of national athletes and Rs98 million will be spent on laving synthetic athletic track, football ground at Sports Centre Karachi.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2023

 

[daytrader]

Pakistan athletes return home from Berlin with 80 medals

The *****stan squad returned home from Berlin on Tuesday after winning 80 medals at the Special Olympic World Games there.

The Pakistan athletes claimed 11 gold, 29 silver and 40 bronze medals at the June 17-25 Games.

Upon the contingent’s arrival in three separate groups at Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad airports, the officials of the Special Olympics Pakistan, relatives and fans warmly welcomed them. The players and officials were garlanded and showered with rose petals.

...
https://www.dawn.com/news/1762080/pakistan-athletes-return-home-from-berlin-with-80-medals

 

[daytrader]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jubilant and successful - <a href="https://twitter.com/SO_Pakistan?ref_src=twsrc^tfw">@SO_Pakistan</a> team departs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Berlin?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc^tfw">#Berlin</a> bagging a total of 80 medals.<br>(11 gold, 29 silver, and 40 bronze).<br>Proud of you all. <br>Officers of <a href="https://twitter.com/PakinGermany_?ref_src=twsrc^tfw">@PakinGermany_</a> bode farewell to the squad.<a href="https://twitter.com/DrMFaisal?ref_src=twsrc^tfw">@DrMFaisal</a><a href="https://twitter.com/epwing_official?ref_src=twsrc^tfw">@epwing_official</a><a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk?ref_src=twsrc^tfw">@ForeignOfficePk</a><a href="https://twitter.com/PTVNewsOfficial?ref_src=twsrc^tfw">@PTVNewsOfficial</a><a href="https://twitter.com/RadioPakistan?ref_src=twsrc^tfw">@RadioPakistan</a> <a href="https://t.co/qRdMjmVJxD">pic.twitter.com/qRdMjmVJxD</a></p>— Pakistan Embassy Germany (@PakinGermany_) <a href="

https://twitter.com/x/status/1673331578037043200

">June 26, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

https://twitter.com/x/status/1673331578037043200

 

[MenInG]

Another debacle!

Pakistan hockey team is out of the Asian Champions Trophy after losing 4-0 against arch-rivals India in Chennai, India, on Wednesday.

This was the first time Pakistan failed to finish in the top four since the introduction of the Asian Champions Trophy.

 

[WicketLord]

Pakistan is not promoting any sport other than cricket, nor is it investing money in any other sport. This is the reason why we have fallen far behind in sports like hockey and squash, even though Pakistan had a great reputation in these sports in the past and had achieved many successes.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Pakistan is home to diverse talents beyond cricket. Investing in other sports can help identify and nurture talents in various disciplines, potentially producing international champions.

 

[Suleiman]

Invest in squash and field hockey more. Don’t care about the rest other than cricket. These 3 sports are historic for the country where we took out many big names in the world to become world champions and dominated for a period of time.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

They should have invested in Hockey and Snooker.

Squash is a bit expensive game which most of the people cant afford.

 

[hassan918]

Lt Gen (retd) Hasan steps down as Pakistan Olympic Association president after 19 years​

KARACHI: Lieutenant General (retired) Arif Hasan has stepped down as the president of Pakistan Olympic Association after remaining in office for over 19 years.

Hasan, who was first elected as president POA in March 2004, confirmed to Geo News from USA about authenticity of his resignation letter.

“Totally legit,” Arif said when this correspondent asked if the letter of resignation is true, which has been doing rounds on social media.

Arif is in USA for the last many days for his treatment.

He confirmed in his resignation letter addressed to members of POA’s Executive Committee that he has decided to step aside due to his health.

“I am writing to formally resign as the President of the Pakistan Olympic Association, effective January 1, 2024,” Hasan wrote in the letter, dated December 28, 2023.

“The decision to step aside is not one I have taken lightly. It is borne out of the necessity to balance my health and well-being with the demands of leading such a dynamic and impactful organisation. Hope you will understand and respect this decision of mine,” he added.

“I assure you that I earnestly desire a smooth transition to ensure the continuity of our excellent work. It is my sincere wish that POA continues to thrive and excel, building on the solid foundation we have established together,” he noted.

Hasan, who was first named as head of organising committee of South Asian Games in 2002, was first elected to the office of POA in 2004. He was then elected for next four consecutive terms.

Hasan was usually criticised by politicians and fans for Pakistan’s medals drought in Olympics. Most recently, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) senior leader Ahsan Iqbal posted a critical post on social media targeting Hasan.

However, the POA and Hasan had always maintained that it was Pakistan Sports Board’s job to provide infrastructure and training facilities to athletes, while the POA was only a representative organisation in IOC on behalf of Pakistani sports bodies.

Meanwhile, POA’s secretary Khalid Mehmood also confirmed to Geo News about Hasan’s resignation on medical grounds.

Following Hasan's resignation, the POA's Executive Committee is now likely to appoint an interim president till the next elections.

Sources believe that the next elections to elect a new POA president will held only after the Paris Olympics 2024.

Source: GEO

 

[hassan918]

I hope the next president will be a more sports related person who understands the needs of an athlete and what it takes to be successful at the international level. In his era, we didn't enjoy a lot of success in most of the sports.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

just look at Australia, they are excellent in all sports because they promote such activities at school level

but here in pakistan we dont get resources even on national level so how can we get better in sports

 

[iRfaN_LA]

no resources in pakistan for sports. Look at what happened to our hockey and squash

 

[FearlessRoar]

In a startling revelation, it has emerged that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has benefitted from the national by receiving funds from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).

As per The News, the PSB gave a whopping Rs205 million to the PCB which then distributed the money among the winning team of the 2017 Champions Trophy.

What’s shocking is that the funds received by the cricketing body were meant for the development of Olympic sports in the country.

The cash-rich PCB has always claimed that it has never taken a single penny from the national exchequer, hence is not answerable to the government — an excuse the PCB officials have presented many times during the Senate and National Assembly committee meetings.

The News however learnt that Rs205 million were doled out to the Champions Trophy winning team from the PSB’s exchequer instead of taking the money out from the PCB’s kitty. Since the amount was meant for the cricketers, there was no bar on taking the prize money out of the board’s kitty but instead, [the country’s] Olympic sports had to bear the brunt as the PSB was asked to release the amount instead.

“The documents submitted with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) by the PSB reveal that a hefty amount of Rs205 million was drawn from the PSB’s kitty for cricketers. The PCB is one of the richest organisations in the country and as such can easily spend and contribute to cricketers’ benefit in a big way.

“The Olympic sports hardly get any grant from the government. It was unjust to deduct the PSB’s amount meant for Olympic sports for the cricketers’ benefit. The PCB is there to look after the cricketers and there is no one except the government to contribute to other sportsmen’s cause as they are preparing for the national and international events,” an official from the sports federations said.

He contemplated that Rs205 million was deducted from the amount meant for the Olympic games athletes at a time when the 12th South Asian Games scheduled in Nepal were just around the corner.

“It was really unjust to pull out the amount for cricketers from the sports budget meant for other sports. The PCB should have come forward and given the prize money to the Champions Trophy-winning team on its own instead of taking the money out of the PSB’s kitty.

“The prime minister is the patron-in-chief of the PCB and has every right to divert some of the amount for cricketers’ benefit or award prize money to them. Then why was the amount taken out from the PSB kitty. The PSB has never supported the federations in a big way. The hefty amount of Rs680 million it received as a special grant should have been diverted entirely to the Olympic sports,” the federation official added

Source: Geo

Did PCB take funds intended for Olympic sports?

Revelation comes despite cricketing body’s stance that it has never taken money from national exchequer

www.geo.tv

 

[BouncerGuy]

DG PSB Shoaib Khoso sacked by PM Shehbaz Sharif

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif sacked Shoaib Khoso as the Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) by paying one-month salary in lieu of one-month notice, with immediate effect.

Shoaib Khoso was at loggerheads with the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) that resulted in his ouster as the DG PSB.

“The Ministry of IPC with the approval of the Prime Minister has terminated Shoaib Khoso contract after paying one-month salary,” the Establishment Division Notification issued on April 19, says.

The News has learned that the decision was taken on the advice of Minister of IPC Ahsan Iqbal. The Minister is likely to appoint the new DG of his confidence after completing the required procedure.

Same thing happened during Ahsan Mazari tenure as the Minister of IPC when Shoaib Khoso was appointed at termination of Col (rtd) Asif Zaman contract. Asif Zaman was appointed by Dr Fahmida Mirza as DG PSB.

When Shoaib Khoso was approached, he said he fell victim to the workers’ cause.

“The Ministry is about to deprive PSB workers of their right to medical facilities and pension. I confronted them and ultimately lost my job in the process,” he said.

Zahoorul Haq has been given the acting charge of DG PSB or till the time the new DG is appointed.

GEOSUPER

 

[FearlessRoar]

Pakistan team confirmed for Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship​

The Pakistan team has been officially announced to compete in the upcoming Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi next month.

Six skilled players from Pakistan will represent across various categories in the eighth edition of the highly anticipated event.

Confirmed by the Pakistan Jiu-Jitsu Federation, the Asian Championship is slated to unfold in Abu Dhabi from May 3 to 8, hosting a display of exceptional talent from across the continent.

Pakistan's contingent will feature participants across different age categories.

In the senior category, the team will boast the talents of Muhammad Ammar, Isra Wasim, and Kainat Arif, each prepared to compete at the highest level.

Meanwhile, in the Under-18 category, Muhammad Yusuf Ali and Umar Yasin will carry Pakistan's flag, with Hamad Balushi stepping up for the Under-16 category, representing the nation's promising young talent.

Additionally, Dilawar Khan Sinan and Abu Harira will engage in the Asian Referee Seminar and Examination.

Leading the charge, Tariq Ali, the General Secretary of the Pakistan Jiu-Jitsu Federation, will helm the national team, also serving as Pakistan's delegate to the General Assembly of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union.

With high hopes and expectations, the president of the Pakistan Jiu-Jitsu Federation has expressed confidence in the team's capabilities, anticipating a stellar performance and a memorable showing for Pakistan on the championship stage.

Pakistan team confirmed for Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Six skilled players from Pakistan will represent across various categories

www.geosuper.tv

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Handling cricket alone is quite an accomplishment for Pakistan

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Pakistan clinch Central Asian volleyball championship title​

Pakistan has won the Central Asian Volleyball Championship title, defeating Turkmenistan 3-1 in the final match at the Liaquat Gymnasium in Islamabad on Friday.

The final match was played between Pakistan and Turkmenistan, with Pakistan emerging victorious after winning three sets while Turkmenistan managed to win only one.

The green shirts secured their victory with 25-21, 25-19, 20-25, and 25-14 points.

Meanwhile, Kyrgyzstan defeated Sri Lanka to secure the third position in the tournament.

At the conclusion of the event, Federal Minister of Planning Ahsan Iqbal presented awards to the players, while diplomats from various countries also attended the final match.

Pakistan clinch Central Asian volleyball championship title | The Express Tribune

Green shirts triumphed over Turkmenistan 3-1 in the final match

tribune.com.pk

 

[FearlessRoar]

Provision of sports facilities govt’s duty: Ahsan​

Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Ahsan Iqbal admitted Friday that providing facilities to the athletes and players is the sole responsibility of the government.

Ahsan was speaking to the media after a hurriedly called Sports Conference participated by selected federations’ representatives. “Why are we unable to groom 10 to 15 world champions? You need enthusiasm to outshine others,” he said.

The minister added that sports federations should be revamped. “There is a requirement to restructure sports federations.” Coaching, he said, is another important aspect in grooming champions.

“International coaches should be hired to groom these champions.” On the recommendation of participants, he said there is a need to promote sports at school and college levels. “National teams should be selected on merit. Grouping is a curse for sports development.” He said that under PM’s instructions, hockey players will be given job letters within seven days.

Provision of sports facilities govt’s duty: Ahsan

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Ahsan Iqbal admitted Friday that providing facilities to the athletes and players is the sole responsibility of the government.Ahsan was...

www.thenews.com.pk

 

[FearlessRoar]

After the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2024, I have developed interest in Pakistan hockey for the very first time, and now I am following their events.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Definitely, it's not cricket's fault. It is the fault of the sports system in Pakistan

https://twitter.com/x/status/1791829261919424820

 

[FearlessRoar]

Court looking into ministry’s authority over PSB​

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is examining the authority of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) of superseding the decision of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).

The question whether the IPC ministry can overturn the decision taken in the PSB meeting arose in the hearing of a petition filed by the officers of the sports board against slashing of their executive allowance.

The petitioners were aggrieved by the discontinuation of their executive allowance by the IPC ministry vide the impugned letter dated May 10. The letter also ordered recovery of all executive allowances paid thus far.

The counsel for the petitioner contended before the court that the executive allowance was approved by the PSB board in its 28th meeting, whereas the impugned letter was issued directly by the ministry.

IHC Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan asked the counsel to assist the court on the next date of hearing on the question of legal competence of the ministry to issue directions of the nature made in the impugned letter, with reference to the parent statute and also in respect of the budgeting and expenditure of PSB being subject to direct regulation by the IPC ministry.

Following the 18th amendments when several ministries had been devolved, the then government entrusted key departments to the IPC ministry including Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Pakistan Sports Board, Federal Land Commission and National Internship Programme.

The ECC and PCB, however, had already been placed under the Cabinet Division whereas the status of chairman of the Federal Land Commission was equivalent to that of the federal minister, hence, it did not come under the purview of the IPC ministry. The only fully functional entity under the IPC ministry is the PSB.

According to a senior official, the IPC ministry was among those ministries that had been shortlisted to abolish.

However, initially, the size of the ministry had been reduced, the posts of an additional secretary, two joint secretaries, two deputy secretaries and six section officers had already been abolished in the ministry.

The official said in order to show its efficacy, the IPC ministry was focusing on the PSB, and assigned key post of the sports board to its own officials in the absence of the former director general, Shoaib Khoso, who was on leave.

Upon Khoso’s return, Deputy Director General Mansoor Ahmed Khan wrote a letter to the IPC secretary against these postings, and an official challenged the posting orders before the IHC.

A couple of days later, the contract of DG Khoso was terminated, Mansoor Khan was transferred from the PSB to the IPC ministry and the official who had petitioned before the IHC was suspended.

The charge of PSB director general has been given to Additional Secretary Zahoor Ahmed.

Sources said the acting DG PSB rarely visited his office in the Sports Complex and was running the official affairs through a deputy director general who is working because of an interim order of the IHC.

On Sept 30, 2020, the high court’s single member bench had demoted him to the post of director. On Dec 10, 2020, the division bench of the IHC issued a stay order till the next hearing enabling him to retain the present post.

Court looking into ministry’s authority over PSB

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) is examining the authority of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial ...

www.dawn.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Sanaullah criticises federations for ‘not providing results’​

Advisor to the Prime Minster on Inter Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday warned sports federations of strict accountability, expressing his concern over participation of only four athletes in the upcoming Paris Olympics.

“We have a population of around 250 million, but only four of our athletes are set to participate in Olympic Games,” lamented Sanaullah during a ceremony held here to celebrate the World Sports Journalists Day. “While, small countries are sending contingents 100 and more, this is painful. “We will not support the federations which are not providing results. All federations should take steps to ensure maximum participation of our athletes in Olympics and other global events.” he said, while adding that the government would provide full support to the federations which ensure participation of players in such events.

Meanwhile, Sanaullah claimed only athletes and professional coaches would be provided funding for foreign tours.

“There will be no joy ride for anyone, we will fund only athletes and coaches,” he said. “If other [officials] want to visit they should go but on their on expenses.”

Three Pakistani shooters, Ghulam Mustafa Bashir, Joseph Gulfam and Kishmala Talat and Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem qualified for the Olympics based on their performance. Besides them, two swimmers — Mohammad Ahmed Durrani and Jehanara Nabi and a sprinter Faiqa Riaz will also participate in this event on the basis of their wildcard entry.

Sanaullah criticises federations for ‘not providing results’

ISLAMABAD: Advisor to the Prime Minster on Inter Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday warned sports...

www.dawn.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Pakistan boxer Zohaib reveals reason behind ditching country before Paris Olympics Qualifiers​

Pakistan’s premier boxer Zohaib Rasheed, who vanished in Italy just before kick-off of the Paris Olympics boxing qualifying event a few months ago, has said that the unprecedentedly tough financial issues forced him to take this unwanted step of ditching the country for seeking greener pastures in Europe.

“I still don’t know how it happened,” Zohaib told The News from an undisclosed location in Europe.

"You know there is no future of boxing in Pakistan. It really hurts me when I recall that my whole boxing career finished within no time. The thing is that you need facilities and incentives to pursue a career and these were not there back home. With an empty pocket how can a boxer grow,” questioned Zohaib, who was Pakistan’s main hope in the qualifying round.

“You know it was not easy to do. Things build with time and eventually compel you to take tough steps for your future and your children’s future. I used to meet mostly my boxing expenses from my own pocket. You saw in Lahore the condition of the boxing camp for the Olympics Qualifiers. It was a club level camp with no facilities. Even we used to contribute for purchasing milk and other food items when there was need. Although I admit that the authorities used to return us that money which they used to get from us in emergency,” Zohaib revealed.

“There were even no punching bags in the camp and we used to go to various clubs to do our training. How can you prepare for Olympics in such a situation?” Zohaib questioned.

“It gives me a lot of pain when I recall that such issues forced me to take the step and leave boxing. Boxing is now just a dream for me as it is finished now,” said Zohaib, who won bronze in both the Asian Senior and Under-22 Championships.

“I used to get Rs 35,000 in terms of salary from my department. I ask you how you can manage your expenses in this sort of amount. It is impossible,” Zohaib said.

“When I was playing I could not speak to media to highlight our vows because we could face action,” he said.

Asked if he aims to play professional boxing on getting a legal document of any country in Europe, Zohaib said he has no such intent.

“I have no such intent. In Pakistan too there is no professional boxing and there is only frustration. The entire sport is on decline and boxing is in the worst state,” Zohaib said.

He rubbished the media reports that he had stolen pounds of a female boxer of Pakistan from her bag before leaving the team hotel.

“It is absolutely rubbish. There was no such thing. I just picked up my passport and went out of the hotel. It shocked me a lot when I heard about this news through social media. I could respond but I did not and through your paper I clarify that I have not stolen any money before leaving the hotel,” Zohaib said.

Zohaib said that it’s not easy for him to be no longer in the sport when his entire family is associated with boxing.

“It’s agonising that my boxing career is over. I was really frustrated as we used to travel through our own expenses and there was no decent incentive which could motivate us to stick to the game,” Zohaib signed off.

The trend of ditching the country among Pakistan’s sportsmen has increased over the years. Zohaib’s case was the fourth in the last two years.

Pakistan boxer Zohaib reveals reason behind ditching country before Paris Olympics Qualifiers

“I still don’t know how it happened,” Zohaib told The News

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Pakistan boxer Zohaib reveals reason behind ditching country before Paris Olympics Qualifiers​

Pakistan’s premier boxer Zohaib Rasheed, who vanished in Italy just before kick-off of the Paris Olympics boxing qualifying event a few months ago, has said that the unprecedentedly tough financial issues forced him to take this unwanted step of ditching the country for seeking greener pastures in Europe.

“I still don’t know how it happened,” Zohaib told The News from an undisclosed location in Europe.

"You know there is no future of boxing in Pakistan. It really hurts me when I recall that my whole boxing career finished within no time. The thing is that you need facilities and incentives to pursue a career and these were not there back home. With an empty pocket how can a boxer grow,” questioned Zohaib, who was Pakistan’s main hope in the qualifying round.

“You know it was not easy to do. Things build with time and eventually compel you to take tough steps for your future and your children’s future. I used to meet mostly my boxing expenses from my own pocket. You saw in Lahore the condition of the boxing camp for the Olympics Qualifiers. It was a club level camp with no facilities. Even we used to contribute for purchasing milk and other food items when there was need. Although I admit that the authorities used to return us that money which they used to get from us in emergency,” Zohaib revealed.

“There were even no punching bags in the camp and we used to go to various clubs to do our training. How can you prepare for Olympics in such a situation?” Zohaib questioned.

“It gives me a lot of pain when I recall that such issues forced me to take the step and leave boxing. Boxing is now just a dream for me as it is finished now,” said Zohaib, who won bronze in both the Asian Senior and Under-22 Championships.

“I used to get Rs 35,000 in terms of salary from my department. I ask you how you can manage your expenses in this sort of amount. It is impossible,” Zohaib said.

“When I was playing I could not speak to media to highlight our vows because we could face action,” he said.

Asked if he aims to play professional boxing on getting a legal document of any country in Europe, Zohaib said he has no such intent.

“I have no such intent. In Pakistan too there is no professional boxing and there is only frustration. The entire sport is on decline and boxing is in the worst state,” Zohaib said.

He rubbished the media reports that he had stolen pounds of a female boxer of Pakistan from her bag before leaving the team hotel.

“It is absolutely rubbish. There was no such thing. I just picked up my passport and went out of the hotel. It shocked me a lot when I heard about this news through social media. I could respond but I did not and through your paper I clarify that I have not stolen any money before leaving the hotel,” Zohaib said.

Zohaib said that it’s not easy for him to be no longer in the sport when his entire family is associated with boxing.

“It’s agonising that my boxing career is over. I was really frustrated as we used to travel through our own expenses and there was no decent incentive which could motivate us to stick to the game,” Zohaib signed off.

The trend of ditching the country among Pakistan’s sportsmen has increased over the years. Zohaib’s case was the fourth in the last two years.

Pakistan boxer Zohaib reveals reason behind ditching country before Paris Olympics Qualifiers

“I still don’t know how it happened,” Zohaib told The News

www.geosuper.tv

The whole situation is just so pathetic and upsetting.

Imagine giving up on your passion for these reasons and I don’t blame him for a second.

Boxer’s are a special breed and need the utmost care / support, especially for high level Olympic pursuits.

The way he has been handled is a disgrace.