“There was euphoria in the air when Imran came to power; a ray of hope for us,” said Ahmad. “We don’t want our dreams shattered.” PHOTO: ONLINE
They now want Imran to fix the problem of nepotism which they say they have personally faced in cricket in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. These youngsters have reportedly tried out for teams since the second half of 2013 and allege the reason none of them were selected for national or local teams is favouritism and a lack of transparency.
One of the 25, Ahmad Nawaz is a BA student at Government College Peshawar. He told The Express Tribune, “One year back, I was declared under age but now out of the blue I am told I am too old.”
Nawaz, who just turned 20, said in 2011 he was selected for an under-19 team but just a few days later, he was told his performance was not good enough. He says he was “never given a chance to play again”.
In 2009, Nawaz said, he was selected by former leg-spinner Arshad Khan and batsmen Wajahatullah Wasti during trials but was later ignored for the team.
“I was also selected for Quaid-e-Azam trophy [overseen by the Pakistan Cricket Board] and played two matches but was later asked to quit.”
According to the rejected aspiring sportsman, “Since the PTI came into power, we have knocked on the doors of every department but no one listens.” He said the youth had welcomed the PTI slogan of change, merit and good governance, but now everyone is witness to the fact that the party’s ministers and important office holders are no different from their predecessors.
“Imran Khan is honest and sincere but others around him cannot be trusted,” said Nawaz. He alleged advisers, ministers and other PTI stalwarts were involved in nepotism in filling government job vacancies.
Ahmad Khan, a 14-year-old cricket aspirant, said he was selected in the Imran Khan Talent Cricket Hunt held in 2013 in Peshawar, but was later rejected on the pretext that he was too young.
“I was rejected because I did not have high references,” said Ahmad.
After facing rejection, they called upon PTI Chairperson Imran Khan to come forward and address their grievances as they “sincerely desire change, which is only possible after corruption, nepotism and poor governance are brought to an end.”
“We work hard to maintain our fitness to get selected,” said Ahmad, “So we request the Chief for selection based on merit.”
The players said they made it through the trial stages for police, railways Wapda and State Bank cricket teams but were never actually selected.
As their entire focus remained on making it to cricket teams, the young men admitted they never gave much thought to their studies or to jobs.
“There was euphoria in the air when Imran came to power; a ray of hope for us,” said Ahmad. “We don’t want our dreams shattered.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2015.
COMMENTS (10)
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My only comment here is that the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa team won the Pentengular tournament held few days ago. Their second major victory in a domestic tournament over last few months. I think no further comment is neccessary.
Imran Khan has always indulged in nepotism.He was the biggest supporter of Salman Butt the Liar.
To the Tribune, is it possible to Ban Ch. Allah Daad? I have seen his comments pop up numerous times, as soon as anything remotely related to Imran Khan is published; Who knows it might be mr Nawaz Sharif posting under the name of Ch Allah Daad.
Credibility of this article is nullified by the fact that KPK has won today the national one day tournament and had also won the last tournament as well after defeating key teams! I hope writer will now also focus on nepotism in selection committees of other provinces/local teams and would ponder on reason for their defeat despite having star studded batting and bowling lineups........would you?
Ch Allah Daad is a man of words, once he claimed PTI can never win a seat from his city FSD, if, he will not come on Tribune. I guess PTI won a seat
@Ch. Allah Daad: Inventor of nepotism? You forgot your master Nawaz Sharif's legendary nepotism. I mean hard to find a democracy where about 30 members of a family are involved in politics or other affairs of the state.
You oldies always think about the past!
I am not saying that it was correct of him to select the two above mentioned players. But when you are as educated as IK is and have half as much brain as IK does. I would accept your decision.
Also in hindsight, we won the world cup!
gonawazgoYou oldies always think about the past!
I am not saying that it was correct of him to select the two above mentioned players. But when you are as educated as IK is and have half as much brain as IK does. I would accept your decision.
Also in hindsight, we won the world cup!
Ch Allah daad , you are Ns biggest chamcha and troll and it is amazing that you are everywhere, unless you are some fake account! What is even more amazing is that tribune publishes all your comments !@Ch. Allah Daad:
Don't spoil Imran's honeymoon period with such stupid demands. He himself is inventor of nepotism. Zakir Khan and Mansoor Akhtar were prime examples of his nepostism.