2012 Olympics ‘Little to look forward to’
Officials, athletes rue lack of funds and facilities as Pakistan face reality check on their prospects in London.
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI:
While the world, the organisers and Olympians-to-be started their one-year countdown to London 2012 yesterday, Pakistan, despite events organised in the country to mark the day, sat back and pondered where the medals will come from.
Since taking part in their first Olympics in 1948, Pakistan have managed just ten medals with eight of them coming in hockey. Lack of funds and absence of adequate facilities have hampered the nation’s surge to the top and come London, the expectations should be kept to a bare minimum, according to the officials.
Government involvement urged
“Despite the presence of huge amounts of talent in Pakistan, sports is one sector which comes low on the government’s priority list,” said Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Associate Secretary Veena Masud. “So far, only hockey has qualified for the Olympics and even if we win a medal in hockey, it’s still sad to see 30 to 40 people go from one country and return with a single medal.”
Masud urged the government to ensure adequate facilities to the athletes if Pakistan are to make an impression on the global stage. She also rued lack of trained coaches.
“Our talent is on the streets but due to lack of interest and facilities, we are left behind. Since 1989 SAF Games, sports has only been going downhill in the country.”
Hockey raises hopes
Record goal-scorer Sohail Abbas has said that Pakistan’s performance on the hockey field in London will give hope to the nation given that it has been the most successful discipline for the country.
Talking about Pakistan’s chances, Abbas felt that the team had been working hard to win the event as it will bring the attention back to the national sport.
“As far as our performance in the Olympics is concerned, I am confident that I will give my best and the team is preparing to bring back the glory,” Abbas told The Express Tribune. “The Champions Trophy will be our ultimate test before the big event.
“However, as far as other sports are concerned, I can’t say much because we really haven’t seen anything come our way. I just wish we have our football team or athletics squad doing well. But the fact that hockey is the only sport in which Pakistan have qualified for the Olympics puts a lot of pressure on us as well.”
‘Lack of enthusiasm in Pakistan’
With calls for funds and better facilities echoed by every other federation, athlete Nasim Hameed, who won gold for Pakistan in the SAF Games 100m, said the country had the potential but lack of interest from the government and external factors including terrorism is constantly tugging Pakistan back in the world of sports.
“People all over the world are gearing up for the Olympics but that enthusiasm is not visible in Pakistan,” she said. “There are training camps all over but at a very small scale. I’d love to go to training camps and teach people what I know. Women are very talented in Pakistan but they are not guided by anyone.”
Hockey player
Sohail Abbas
“As far as other sports are concerned, I can’t say much because we really haven’t seen anything come our way. I just wish we have our football team or athletics squad doing well and making an impression.”
Athlete Nasim Hameed
“People all over the world are gearing up for the Olympics but that enthusiasm is not visible in Pakistan. There are training camps all over but at a very small scale. I’d love to go to training camps and teach people what I know.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2011.
While the world, the organisers and Olympians-to-be started their one-year countdown to London 2012 yesterday, Pakistan, despite events organised in the country to mark the day, sat back and pondered where the medals will come from.
Since taking part in their first Olympics in 1948, Pakistan have managed just ten medals with eight of them coming in hockey. Lack of funds and absence of adequate facilities have hampered the nation’s surge to the top and come London, the expectations should be kept to a bare minimum, according to the officials.
Government involvement urged
“Despite the presence of huge amounts of talent in Pakistan, sports is one sector which comes low on the government’s priority list,” said Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Associate Secretary Veena Masud. “So far, only hockey has qualified for the Olympics and even if we win a medal in hockey, it’s still sad to see 30 to 40 people go from one country and return with a single medal.”
Masud urged the government to ensure adequate facilities to the athletes if Pakistan are to make an impression on the global stage. She also rued lack of trained coaches.
“Our talent is on the streets but due to lack of interest and facilities, we are left behind. Since 1989 SAF Games, sports has only been going downhill in the country.”
Hockey raises hopes
Record goal-scorer Sohail Abbas has said that Pakistan’s performance on the hockey field in London will give hope to the nation given that it has been the most successful discipline for the country.
Talking about Pakistan’s chances, Abbas felt that the team had been working hard to win the event as it will bring the attention back to the national sport.
“As far as our performance in the Olympics is concerned, I am confident that I will give my best and the team is preparing to bring back the glory,” Abbas told The Express Tribune. “The Champions Trophy will be our ultimate test before the big event.
“However, as far as other sports are concerned, I can’t say much because we really haven’t seen anything come our way. I just wish we have our football team or athletics squad doing well. But the fact that hockey is the only sport in which Pakistan have qualified for the Olympics puts a lot of pressure on us as well.”
‘Lack of enthusiasm in Pakistan’
With calls for funds and better facilities echoed by every other federation, athlete Nasim Hameed, who won gold for Pakistan in the SAF Games 100m, said the country had the potential but lack of interest from the government and external factors including terrorism is constantly tugging Pakistan back in the world of sports.
“People all over the world are gearing up for the Olympics but that enthusiasm is not visible in Pakistan,” she said. “There are training camps all over but at a very small scale. I’d love to go to training camps and teach people what I know. Women are very talented in Pakistan but they are not guided by anyone.”
Hockey player
Sohail Abbas
“As far as other sports are concerned, I can’t say much because we really haven’t seen anything come our way. I just wish we have our football team or athletics squad doing well and making an impression.”
Athlete Nasim Hameed
“People all over the world are gearing up for the Olympics but that enthusiasm is not visible in Pakistan. There are training camps all over but at a very small scale. I’d love to go to training camps and teach people what I know.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 28th, 2011.