Though the Olympic Games 2012 have seen some teams and players being disqualified in their events, it was the disqualification of four pairs of women’s doubles badminton players in the early weeks of the Olympic Games that gives us insight into the spirit of these Games. The decision came after the Badminton World Federation (BWF) barred the pairs — top-seeds from China, two pairs from South Korea and one from Indonesia — on charges of throwing away matches.
The disqualification came when the players adopted a strategy of intentionally losing games in the group stages to leverage easier matches in the knockout round. Heavy criticism has been heaped on the new rules with the British Olympics Association Chairman Lord Moynihan stating that the format “needs to be investigated”. Players and officials alike are blaming the inefficiency of the BWF rules for their disqualification, while outraged fans are voicing their opinions on social networking websites and in newspapers.
While anger from ardent supporters is expected, it is the honour displayed by the respective nations and their coaches — though not denying that they should not have tried to manipulate the rules in the first place — which pales in comparison with anything one might see in our own country. It was admirable to see how coaches of the disqualified teams accepted the blame for proposing a strategy that went against the spirit of the Games and issued apologies to their respective nations. China’s badminton coach, Li Yongbo, said that the “Chinese players failed to demonstrate the fine tradition and fighting spirit of the national team. It’s me to blame”. Likewise, Indonesian newspapers and the Korean media were also seen voicing their dismay at the show put up by their athletes.
Rewind to Pakistan, and we see the Supreme Court pestering prime minister after prime minister to write the wretched letter to the Swiss authorities to no avail and with no regard whatsoever for the so-called ‘honour’ of the country. This is not surprising though, since apologising is anathema for all and sundry in Pakistan. The lack of regard for assuming responsibility in our land is not something unexpected, hence the conflict that has arisen over the writing of the letter. In fact, it even took the great superpower over six months to accept responsibility over the Salala incident. While the Olympics disqualification was embarrassing for the respective nations, it was accepted in the spirit of the Games and no furore was created by the authorities concerned and no conspiracy theories have followed thereafter.
However, two years back when our cricketers were caught in the storm of the spot-fixing controversy, at least two of them fought to death trying to deny charges heaped on them. In fact, it seemed that it was a matter of honour for these cricketers to keep pleading their innocence, only to be further humiliated by having the charges proved in a London court.
The disqualification from the Olympics and subsequent acceptance of apologies of those involved holds many lessons for us as a nation. The first step in progressing and not living with our heads buried in the sand is to recognise a mistake, apologise for it and then ensure that it is never repeated again. One of our many pitfalls as a nation has been the fact that anyone and everyone in a position of power has worn their ego on their sleeve, as a result of which, we have never been able to analyse and accept our weaknesses, let alone learn from them for the greater good of our nation.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2012.
COMMENTS (9)
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Very thought provoking and I completely agree with what you have said at the end. Possibly we are like what we are, that is shallow, because instead of building on our heritage and culture we have slowly torn it down and tried to reinvent it, to suit our individual whims and needs. Needless to say, making an absolute mess in the process.
Mr Noor the Olympics may have started from a myth but records and monuments and the actual site of ancient Olympics are there for all to see. If you watched London Olympics athletes entered as representing a country and left as representing the world! It happens in almost all sports except politics. I am sorry if Pakistanis were not allowed to watch scantily clad athletes from all over the world.
The origin of Olympics is from Greek God myth as a religious celebration.
We shouldn't take them so serious.
Madam,
For Pakistan denial is a national sport. Why would Cricketers behave any differently than the likes of Rehman Malik who denied Mumbai Butcher Kasab is a Pakistani!!
Being truthful has never been a part of our national character; we even falsify our history. We refuse to accept that we are descendants of the people of the subcontinent and of the Sind river, and insist we are Arabs.
Veena Malik is now claiming she dated one of these badminton players, and that she had been throwing away matches for years!
So, uh, what is Pakistan's final medals tally at Olympics?
In lot of ways we as a nation are also responsible for our spot fixing players and politicians not accepting their mistake. we ridicule them all their lives make joke of them.... instead at least appreciate that they came forward and said sorry, repent at what they did and promise not to do again.
The author has touched a delicate point. Character building starts first at home and then at school. Unfortunately, we have failed on both counts. Imagine, if we start today, it will take another twenty years to bear fruit. I must add that there are honourable exceptions but those only prove the general rule.