The talent game

We come across extraordinary sights in our country virtually everywhere we go. The sad fact is that we do not realise what these could mean for our nation. Today, we struggle to gain respect and a standing in the international community, along with having to fight the menace of terrorism. On several occasions, we see young boys in the country engaging in extraordinary feats of gymnastics at open grounds — especially the one that stands around the Minar-e-Pakistan. Without training, without equipment, in their bare feet and shalwar kameez, these youngsters perform skills one would normally acquire after years of practice and training. It makes one wonder what levels these children could achieve if constructive efforts were made to nurture their natural ability. The same holds true for the young cricketers playing on the streets. Growing up in an environment where nepotism and connections prove beneficial, these children may never discover the true potential of their abilities. In the northern parts of our country, there are schoolboys and girls who regularly walk several miles down steep hillsides and then back up again. If we peep into books on athletic history, we will find that what these children do as a matter of routine is precisely what Kenyan or Ethiopian children did in the 70s and 80s, and later gained fame as world-class athletes. The difference is that the potential of the latter naturally-trained runners was recognised and nurtured in their respective countries.

There is no reason why we in Pakistan cannot follow a similar route. Rather than wait for the sporadic talent to spring up on its own, providing institutes to hone the natural abilities of these children could provide them with direction and opportunity, resulting in honours for our country. This will grant Pakistan respect and move the focus away from ideas of extremism, hatred and intolerance that are typically associated with it.


Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2012.