Rabia Ashiq takes part in her women's 800m round 1 heat. -Photo by Reuters
KARACHI: Pakistan's last medal hope at the London Olympics failed to qualify for the 800m semi-finals at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.
Rabia, who was participating through a wild card entry, finished 6th in the heat clocking a time of 2:17.39.
The 20-year old from Lahore also failed to improve on her personal best time of two minutes and 10.65 seconds.
Pamela Jelimo, Lynsey Sharp, Eleni Filandra and Geena Gall qualified from the seven athletes in the heat. Overall, Rabia finished at number 35 out of 45 athletes.
Pakistan will come back empty handed as the rest of its athletes - swimmers Anum Bandey and Israr Hussain, sprinter Liaqat Ali, shooter Khurram Inam and the hockey team - are also out of contention for any medals.
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Comments (83) Closed
Scotte
Aug 08, 2012 12:16pm
Well done...thanks for putting Pakistan on the map of the Olympics...
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Omar
Aug 08, 2012 01:14pm
It's not charity work either. Why even bother showing up if your loss is a foregone conclusion. Winners have pride and determination,only losers talk about moral victories. Shame on us,65+ years and we still keep on sending hockey and few scrubs who disguise as athletes. Shame shame.
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raza
Aug 08, 2012 01:55pm
It would have been better had she ran to her potential or better (2:10), Athletics is one thing that keeps you honest, you cannot hope for the better result than you trained for. It appears that her training and race strategy was lacking 7 sec is a big variation for 800m. She should however should still be applauded for what she did, running half a mile (0.8km) in little over 2 minutes is not easy. Hopefully she learn something there which will help her improve to the next level and do better in local and SAF games level, and many others (young and old)get inspiration to start running and pleasently find out that what they have been missing in their life.
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Tariq
Aug 08, 2012 02:03pm
Raibia is an inspiration to many Pakistanis. With the lack of interest from the government, the private institutions must invest in such athletes to train if we want to put Pakistan on the world map on the softer side.
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Fawad Janjua
Aug 08, 2012 12:02pm
Its not always about winning...its about the spirit of competition. She deserves still credit and support. How many ever even thought of being there in the first place?
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Javed
Aug 08, 2012 12:06pm
Atleast we tried. Good luck for next time.
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HarM
Aug 08, 2012 12:27pm
Better luck next Rabia! Train harder and faster...
Will look forward to seeing you at Rio in 4 years!!!!!
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Fahad
Aug 08, 2012 12:32pm
She is only 20, lets hope she is provided proper training and facilities to make it through in 4 years time
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HarM
Aug 08, 2012 12:34pm
Every inch of this nation is craving to hear our anthem being played at the end of an event......The person to do it will be a national hero, and remembered in history books!!
Hope our athletes train long and hard for Rio in 4 years!!! only perseverence and hard work gets gold medals!! We have abundance of talent, but that's not enough when you're competing at the world stage!!
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Agha Ata
Aug 08, 2012 12:36pm
Nothing succeeds like success, and nothing falls more rapidly than failure. I do not knwo the antoym of the word "renaissance." but that is what it is.
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Naeem
Aug 08, 2012 12:42pm
nothing will change unless there is investment in sports.
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sultana noon
Aug 08, 2012 12:50pm
what a negative article - at least they got TO the olympics!! it's not all about winning!
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ahmed
Aug 08, 2012 12:59pm
Just saw her run on tv. She is inspiration to our future runners. well done.
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M K S
Aug 08, 2012 01:24pm
Why is giving thumbs down to all the positive and encouraging comments!?!? Sheesh!!
WELL DONE, Rabia. We all know the state of affairs regarding sports here. You can gain confidence and build on the experience for your future triumphs. All the best!
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Fawad
Aug 08, 2012 01:27pm
Thank you Rabia for representing Pakistan. You did great and there is always next time. We support you no matter what, this is sports and it was great to see you there. Good luck and God bless you.
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mian Riaz
Aug 08, 2012 01:37pm
Good luck next time in Asian Games and in Rio. you should be looking some sponsors.
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caan
Aug 08, 2012 01:47pm
thumbs up for her spirit
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yasi
Aug 08, 2012 02:13pm
tried but not on the merit she spoiled the wild card which is given to only 2 pakistani's from 18 kror population
at least demand from her was to break his own national record
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True Indian
Aug 08, 2012 02:17pm
Right. Qualifying for Olympics is a big deal in itself...It's not anybody can participate jst like that...So all those who participated in Olympics deserve a big congratulations at the first place itself...
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skoc
Aug 08, 2012 02:32pm
The fact that Pakistan was represented in Olympics was an honor. And The athletes did their best. So there should be an article written of hope and encouragement instead of failure.. Good Luck next time to team Pakistan..
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M Jamil
Aug 08, 2012 02:47pm
I salam to your spirit, never loose heart, you encourage our moral...
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Faisal
Aug 08, 2012 03:36pm
Competing in Olympics = Great.
Winning a Medal at Olympics = Priceless.
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amer
Aug 08, 2012 04:19pm
Once again Pakistan did not even a single medal. Pakistan should not have participated in Olympics if teams were not prepared and ready. Don't waste poor country money and send people to England if they can't win and not prepared period.
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misbah arshad
Aug 08, 2012 04:19pm
In the last 4 and a half years the present government has not given any consideration to sports at all. All emphasis have been on corruption and covering up the corruption of the president. At the last olymics pakistan had a handful of medals. They have participants in boxing, wrestling and other fields as well. But this olympics none. Another achivement of the zardari government.
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Love blogging
Aug 08, 2012 04:46pm
Has this runner won a medal in Asian games or Commonwealth? Then why to expect her in Olymics.
Wrongly written article that says Last medal hope.
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Zalim Sodozai
Aug 08, 2012 04:49pm
that's what all the losers say! (:
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Jawwad
Aug 08, 2012 05:29pm
It's a shame countries like North Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, Algeria, Qatar, Moldova and even Ethiopia all have medals and we with our population of over 200 million cannot even field more than 35 athletes. Just what is stopping us from participating in sports like Canoeing, Skiing (we've got worlds highest 32 peaks out of 36), shooting (we are brandishing guns all the time and yet can't shoot?), wrestling and may other sports that we could have easily participated. Is there no one in the country at higher up who thinks Olympics is sort of a gauge to judge a country a nation where they stand on the comity of nations? Out of 206 countries, we stand LAST.
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Jawwad
Aug 08, 2012 05:31pm
These are broken tunes. Ryan Lochte trains for 14 hours a day. Is there any person you know in Pakistan whether sports or another position where person is putting 14 hours work per day? We simply do not possess the work ethics to compete with Westerners.
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Jawwad
Aug 08, 2012 05:33pm
it's not about winning? I can safely put my dollar on the bet that you have never ever stepped in a field to play a single sport in your life? Please read the medal count and look at our number. Are we even worst than Ethiopia? http://stats.washingtonpost.com/olympics/medals.a...
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MOHAMMAD nadeem
Aug 08, 2012 05:45pm
lack of the facilities............. so, how v can get the medals?
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sami kazi
Aug 08, 2012 06:12pm
Give credit to Rabia for qualifying for the Olympics for Pakistan. Being a female in Pakistani soceity is not easy with male dominance everywhere. In addition there are no world class sports facilities in Pakistan for atheletes to practice for these mega events. Qualifying for Olympics against these odds to compete against the best atheletes in the world is not an easy task. Well done Rabia. Don't give up. Better luck next time.
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Indian
Aug 08, 2012 06:20pm
She was wildcarder, not an Olympics qualifier.
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@indian_thoughts
Aug 08, 2012 06:29pm
but she didn't qualify for it , she got wild card
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ali
Aug 08, 2012 06:32pm
doesn't matter we loss matter is we never try to do some better next time becz our goverments is totly crack players give u good result if u give them gd facalties nd gd envoirment god bless u all
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MAA
Aug 08, 2012 06:55pm
YOu should speak up to government. Zardari does not exhibit us as a poor country. He flies on a foreign tour on his private government owned A310 but lands in the other country asking for AID money. If you put right people incharge of the olympic preparation and good traning program, you can get medals.
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Mona
Aug 08, 2012 07:01pm
Sorry to disagree and hurt to see how down the nation's spirit is for these courageous man and women
I think our athletes deserve a big applaud to take the courage to go to these international events with the minimum training.
Thanks to all the corruption in Pakistan, our talented atheletes are not brought forward to compete in international competitions. I say if Pakistan can spend one-thrid of the money that is spent on training the athletes in western countries, we can show who is the star.
Way to go all Pakistani athletes!! :)
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irfan
Aug 08, 2012 07:09pm
that is the proof that there is no facility for the atheletes in pakistan , pakistan sports board should work on it !
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Mona
Aug 08, 2012 08:49pm
As you said we need right people in sports committeess to give these people a fair chance and training and about money, if handled propely money can be raised from these big shots and corporates who will be eager to put their name on these athletes and cash the fame when they are launched at these international competitions.
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jamal nasir
Aug 08, 2012 09:26pm
keep it up dont loose hope.
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BNS
Aug 08, 2012 09:42pm
Good effort Rabia, you tried your best and that is what matters. We are still proud that you were able to participate. Use this as a learning opportunity, try harder and you will get better results next time.
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Salar
Aug 08, 2012 09:59pm
In Pakistan all it takes to get TO the Olympics is approval from a corrupt government and a free plan ticket bought with the poor nation's money.
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safiasyed
Aug 08, 2012 10:01pm
agree with you.....but first thing first......get rid of corruption.....and any one involved in it...ban them for life from holding any public office......
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aswani indur
Aug 08, 2012 11:13pm
money,hardwork training , and good facility is equal to gold medal also add killing instenct none of which we got. so do not discourge just enjoy the games.
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Hussain
Aug 08, 2012 11:35pm
You are competing with the best brood of talent from the rest of the world... To comes in leagues with them is winning by itself... to qualify is a victory by itself
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Indian
Aug 08, 2012 11:43pm
Other than Hockey all were wildcarders in Pak team
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Igoo
Aug 09, 2012 12:12am
Try and read the comment - it is not ALL about winning.
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Jehangir
Aug 09, 2012 12:44am
She did not qualify, the article says she was a wild card entry!
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Jehangir
Aug 09, 2012 12:52am
She did not qualify for Olympics, she was a wild card entry.
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SAADYA
Aug 09, 2012 12:56am
guys what happened to our sportsmanship
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Bilal
Aug 09, 2012 02:42am
Please can you just once accept it that she was not up to scratch comparing to the other athletes, first it was the so called "Water Car" now this, God knows what is next...The country's athletes have won 10 Olympic medals over 64 years at the games but have not brought home a medal since the 1992 Barcelona Games. Wake up and smell the coffee....
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Zia
Aug 09, 2012 03:33am
You seems overly modest person...... The margin of defeat/degree of unability to qualify was way too big in all competitions......
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Zia
Aug 09, 2012 03:36am
Yeah...... and medals were showering on our nations earlier than this government?? Please check your records when was the last time Pakistan won any medal in Olympic?
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Faisal
Aug 09, 2012 03:58am
I fail to see why we send Pakistani athletes who are far inferior and don't even clock near the olympic or world records.
What point is it to send them without offering them the best training or even to the extent of scouting for the best in this 180 million plus population. Let's do our homework at home first.
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@ZANSHAREEF
Aug 09, 2012 04:20am
What if the first 5 people are caught doping
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Juice
Aug 09, 2012 05:40am
Even if they did not win a medal, it does not undermine the amount of experience they gained. These very few athletes got a nation excited. According to your theory more than 75% of the nations should not compete in the Olympics. And do not waste your poor grammar to express the negativity. Learn to take things positively and express them in such a manner which help achieve success.
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Juice
Aug 09, 2012 05:44am
If we had electricity constantly for more than 14 hours a day than maybe or the facilities to train , especially because the our government does not want provide anything for us, but to learn the ethic of watching them fatten their pockets with money.
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Khalid
Aug 09, 2012 05:49am
Couldn't have put it better myself. That is exactly what the problem is.....
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Ernest Bowen
Aug 09, 2012 06:28am
Rabia don't worry @ least you made your country proud by beeing there, better luck next time train harder, if your country can train you some were here in Australia or any other western country, it will be better then you have no fear about your so called mullah's see you in 4years in Rio God bless take care
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Ahmed Sultan
Aug 09, 2012 07:15am
Then what are you doing what's stopping you from going to olympics and win a medal for Pakistan
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Ahmed Hasan
Aug 09, 2012 07:33am
Billions of Rupees wasted on these athletes and olymic associations uptill now... and even no single bronze medal they have brought to the country since 1992.Its just a summer excursion for them I think...!! This consistant poor perfomance depicting that Rio results won't be different from London.
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Maroof Haroon
Aug 09, 2012 07:42am
No more comments regarding these issues, wish them better luck for next time because they tried their best efforts.
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syed
Aug 09, 2012 01:26pm
you eventually get to winning by keeping the positive attitude and continually improve. It is all about self improvement, winning is a bonus. Anyone who is good enough to be on the olympic (or any other starting line) is already better than millions and millions of people who are wasting their time. So give credit where its due and then encourage for further improvement. sincerely.
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Ali
Aug 09, 2012 07:58am
Salute to these boys & girls who raised Pak flag in Olympics, Our media has gone simply crazy, tomorrow if our media men and women have to compete with BBC and CNN where will they stand ???
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Ghalib Khan
Aug 09, 2012 08:03am
Her Efforts , are much appreciated, at least she tried her best, unlike our Hockey team, everyone of them need to be booted out
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Fasih
Aug 09, 2012 08:20am
You are saying that "Thanks to all the corruption in Pakistan, our talented atheletes are not brought forward to compete in international competitions", so what type of applaud they deserve ? if they enter by kickbacks , a courage for shamelessness?
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Khanji
Aug 09, 2012 08:34am
In the era of national apathy ,her mere presence in that event was a source of pride for may like me...
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mfaizanattique
Aug 09, 2012 10:00am
INshallah Our Prayers are with every Participant! May allah help those who play fair. Pakistan's Determination after so much negativity going on in our country and still they are performing wearing the Green and white. Pakistan ZIndabad
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Syedd
Aug 09, 2012 10:10am
Its not about winnning .. they participated and fame the name of PAKISTAn.. its enough.. :))
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Mirza A Baig
Aug 09, 2012 10:40am
So what she was not able to qualify. Atleast she competed on wild card entry and did the nation proud. We dont even have decent tracks for these lot to practice stuff. Can the writer of this email run 100 yards ? honestly - I am proud of all the ones who participated.... made me proud as a pakistani...
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Imran Azim Butt
Aug 09, 2012 11:57am
She did not qualify but wen tthere on a wild card ...no big deal.If you have seen here race, she looked like a joke running among others. She was miles back and finished almost one minute after everyone else had finished.
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Pakistani
Aug 09, 2012 12:40pm
The article includes that she is 35th from 45th humm from 193-194 Countries she was the top 35 in a game which is won on seconds! thats a STAR to me!, and for all those critics for the Gold Medal does any one even know any Gold Star winner to Guide the nation how its Won out of their extensive experience?
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syed
Aug 09, 2012 01:30pm
by becoming an active nation and having positive attitude. Every person young and old who takes up some sport will eventually contributes in developing a culture that will produce medal winners.
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mathew
Aug 09, 2012 02:49pm
olympics is about competing and giving your best
no body comes to see weather u wear head scarf or not,we muslims make great fuss about these things but our performance which really counts is pathetic
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Agha Ata
Aug 09, 2012 03:30pm
Rabia, in my previous comment I criticised the whole society, not YOU. You are great to have the courage to particpate in Olympics, one in millions. Aren't you? How many, out of 8 millions, women in Pakistan did it? Figure it out yourself. This time you smelled success from a few feet. the next time you can even taste it by being on the spot. Now you know what it is like. A GREAT EXPERIENCE.
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Zain
Aug 09, 2012 03:34pm
Pakistan Olympics Committee, if it is really serious about improving the country's performance, should have a strategic review of its programs and devise a focused funding/training plan for those sports where Pakistan already has talent and could do better (i.e. niche specialization). Besides hockey, some examples are boxing, wrestling, volleyball, long distance running, weight lifting and shooting. With increased focus and funding to these sports (and selecting athletes based on meritocracy), the perforances will increase and I'm sure the Pakistani athletes will be able to bag a few medals in the coming olympics. This is what most smaller countries (with limited budgets) do and a lot of'em do pretty well in the olympics.
Any other piece meal effort (i.e. inefficient use of resources) will only result in repeat disappointments in the years to come.
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Syeda Arifa Hussain
Aug 09, 2012 04:10pm
She was in London to represent Pakistan. Good enough for me. Better than over 170 million. Kudos and salute to her
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Iqbal Theba
Aug 09, 2012 04:10pm
Rabia is my Hero. She fought against all Odds and did what she did. She is opening the doors for the rest of the young Pakistani girls who dream but never get to pursue their dreams. Iqbal Theba, Principal FIGGINS from GLEE
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akhter husain
Aug 09, 2012 04:24pm
Unless we accept that talent in Pakistan is hard to find because fewer people have the opportunity and required facilities for practice and improvement.Even there is dearth of talent hunters,who,if at all we find one, is not acceptable to vested interests.I wonder if we will ever be able to produce world beaters.
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Marya
Aug 09, 2012 05:11pm
I second you
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Bilal
Aug 09, 2012 05:12pm
Is India corruption free? At least Anna Hazare does not think it is, neither do hundreds of thousands of people who follow him? Why is India winning the medals then if corruption is the hurdle in our chances of winning the medal? I hate to say this but I doubt if the competitors are selected on merit here in Pakistan. We are not really this untalented. We have done wonders in cricket, hockey, squash, boxing and weightlifting. Why cant we even win at least one bronze in any category?
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Noorel Haque
Aug 09, 2012 07:31pm
Although I wholeheartedly support participation in Olympics, Pakistan's performance was dismal and embarrassing. Pakistani sports is only reflecting the state of the country, crippled, a failure, full of corruption and lacking morality and inspiration.
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Arshad
Aug 09, 2012 07:42pm
Sports that require physical strength we do not stand a chance. We should concentrate on rifle shooting, diving, badminton, table tennis etc.
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syed
Aug 09, 2012 11:04pm
shes just 20. we hope she improves to the level of international players!
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