Zaman outlines development plans

PML-N official confident new government can revive Pakistan sports .

KARACHI: With the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) set to form the new government, hopes have been raised for a better future for sports in Pakistan.

In an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune, squash legend and PML-N official Qamar Zaman said he has plans in place that will help revive sports in the country.

“I’ve closely witnessed the rise and fall of sports in Pakistan,” said Zaman. “There was a time when we used to rule the world in squash, cricket, hockey and snooker. I aim to help our players bring back those days. I’ve got vast experience that spreads across nearly four decades and would like to utilise it for the betterment of not just squash but other sports in Pa  kistan as well.”



The 61-year-old added that he would soon meet the party leaders to discuss the plans of the development of sports, stating he was eyeing an important post in Pakistan’s sports structure which would allow him to make key decisions.

The official hoped that the country’s image will improve under the new government and Pakistan will once again be able to host all major high-profile sporting events.

“Pakistan has suffered a lot in the last five years but we’re hopeful that things will change and our deprived fans will be able to see national and international stars embrace the stadiums again.”

Zaman revealed that he had already discussed the possibility of building a sports village in Abbottabad.

“I’ve told the party leadership how building a sports village in Abbottabad could contribute towards the uplifting of sports.”

He added that if his party could provide top sports facilities in the terror-prone K-P province, terrorism was likely to decrease in the trouble-ridden regions.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17^th, 2013.