Crisis in sports: Jahangir Khan fears for Pakistan's image

Former world no. 1 Khan said the struggle against terrorism had had a disastrous effect on sport in the country.


Afp August 14, 2013
"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif must look into the situation in sports, which is fast getting out of control," Khan told AFP. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE.

KARACHI: Legendary Pakistani squash player and former world number one Jahangir Khan says the country must do more to improve its image and stop the rest of the world from imagining Pakistanis as "terrorists".

Pakistan, which celebrated its Independence Day on Wednesday, has held the world titles in cricket, squash and hockey in 1994, a golden era for sport in the country.

But lack of facilities, militancy and infighting among sports federations have caused a serious slump, with the country on the verge of a ban from the Olympics for flouting administrative rules.

The country has been a virtual no-go zone for top foreign sports teams since gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2009.

Khan, 50, said the government must do more to revitalise Pakistan's once proud sporting identity.

"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif must look into the situation in sports, which is fast getting out of control," Khan told AFP.

"Sports are the only identity Pakistanis have at the world level but now we are tagged as terrorists, because our sports and sportsmen have been pushed back."

Khan said the struggle against terrorism had had a disastrous effect on sport.

"Our sports are destroyed by terrorism with no country wanting to visit us because of security fears," said Khan.

"On top of that, the mismanagement in our sports, with two factions in the Olympic association, have brought a bad name for the country."

Khan won a record 10 British Open titles and six world titles, dominating squash in the 1980s and 90s along with his compatriot Jansher Khan, who won eight world and six British crowns.

Since their departure, however, Pakistan has failed to produce any top-level squash players.

"Our squash has gone three levels down, hockey is nowhere and our cricket image is stained by players caught in match-fixing," said Khan.

Four-time hockey world champions, Pakistan slumped to last in the World Cup held in India three years ago and a poor seventh in last year's London Olympics.

"Pakistan is rich in sporting talent but the only thing needed is to have sincere and honest administrators who should be held accountable by the government," said Khan.

"Pakistan should be recognised as a sporting nation and not as a terrorist country."

COMMENTS (3)

MUHAMMAD ASGHAR KHAN | 10 years ago | Reply

great man with thoughts. i appreciate him.

Salman | 10 years ago | Reply

with the kind of leadership we have THE LEGEND should forget anything will happen.... except getting doomed in a disaster. People of this country chosen these leaders and these guys are least bothered with the image... all they care is their pockets & business is running. VERY VERY SAD BUT TRUE :(

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