Kiran won 15 gold medals out of 19 swimming events at the National Games in Islamabad earlier this month PHOTO: FILE/Express
National swimming champion Kiran Khan claimed that the Pakistan Swimming Federation (PSF) was favouring foreign-based swimmers, who were representing the country at the ongoing Fina World Championships 2013 in Barcelona.
Kiran won 15 gold medals out of 19 swimming events at the National Games in Islamabad earlier this month, a new record set by any swimmer in the history of the games. Furthermore, she also broke a national record in the 50-metre women’s freestyle event, clocking 28.98 seconds.
However, she stated that her medals and efforts fell short as the PSF blind-sided her for the World Championships.
Instead of sending a local athlete, the federation had entered the names of Dubai-based Lianna Swan and UK-based Anam Bandey in the event.
“I checked the Fina website and was shocked to see that the PSF had overlooked my efforts,” Kiran told The Express Tribune. “Last year’s Olympics snub was very tough on me, but I made a comeback to prove myself.
“The PSF now tells us that the foreign-based swimmers are better than us. We don’t have the facilities in Pakistan, but the federation should understand that facilities don’t guarantee capability. I never finished among the bottom 10 in international events.
“Swimming in Pakistan is not about performance anymore. Whoever pays the PSF gets to play.”
Kiran added that she would compete with Swan or Bandey to prove where she stood against them, but the two never participated in local competitions.
“I don’t mind losing to them, but they should at least compete with us to earn their place to represent Pakistan.”
The national swimmer said her aim was to now represent Pakistan at the South Asian Games scheduled to take place in India this year.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 31st, 2013.
Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.
COMMENTS (3)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1734939576-0/Untitled-(85)1734939576-0-165x106.webp "article")
1734937729-0/akbar-(1)1734937729-0-165x106.webp "article")
1728297472-0/Fousey-(1)1728297472-0-165x106.webp "article")
1734937562-0/Untitled-(84)1734937562-0-165x106.webp "article")
1734778885-0/Untitled-(10)1734778885-0-270x192.webp "jennifer lopez is all smiles alongside new bodyguard amid post split situation")
if one looks at the records then both Lianna and Anum have faster times than Kiran. Both Lianna and Anum can legally represent Pakistan as they are dual nationals due to Pakistani heritage. I think none of them are good enough to qualify on their own and have to be given wild cards by FINA. Since Kiran Khan had been representing Pakistan until 2012 (incl. 2008 Olympics) therefore PSF is now looking to give the foreign-based teenagers a chance. Though Kiran Khan has a right to feel neglected as she is the National Champ
Performance in swimming is pure statistics; if Kiran has better time that the others (which i doubt, only because she has talked about winning events where the other 2 didnt participate), she should be one sent to Barcelona.
I agree the slots should be allotted based on performance and performance cannot be correctly gauged by mere assumption but but most be tested to be compared. Its a more general problem. In this country, we never seem to favor merit ever with only some exceptions.