Snooker victory

More responsible way of promoting sports would be to use money to train sportspeople, ensure they can earn a living.

The victory of Muhammad Asif at the International Billiards and Snooker Federation World Championships is one of those moments where all of us can take pride at the noteworthy achievements of our own people, while reflecting on the lack of official support given to budding sportspeople. That Pakistanis occasionally manage to shine on the international stage is all the more remarkable given the absence of support for all sports other than cricket. Asif has now established himself as the premier amateur snooker player in the world and for this, the accolades and money should now start pouring in. Before his victory, he was given a stipend equalling about $80 a month; hopefully, that will now be increased.

We should, however, question the way government officials treat sports as just another public relations opportunity, lining up to associate themselves with winners who did it all on their own. The more responsible way of promoting sports would be to use this money to train sportspeople and ensure they can earn a living. This would give our budding sportspeople the opportunity to develop their skills without having to worry about how they will be able to earn a living. Asif is a poster boy for individual achievement but for us to achieve sustained victories in the world of snooker and other sports requires a concerted national effort.

The challenge for Pakistan is to channel this new-found love for snooker into a long-term interest rather than have it be another passing fad. For that, the crowds will have to show up at national events and corporate sponsorship will have to be bolstered. Even more importantly, sports need to be funded and encouraged at the school level, where the stars of tomorrow can be identified and nurtured. As a country, we have taken pride at the individual brilliance shown by our sportspeople. Now is the time to channel this talent in a more organised manner and make ourselves a true powerhouse on the world stage.

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