LAHORE: Former cricketers, hockey Olympians and the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) have urged the federal government to revive sports in the public sector departments noting the decision taken by the previous government to abolish departments in cricket and other sports proved disastrous for athletes.

It may be mentioned here that the previous government led by cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan, besides abolishing departmental cricket, had also decided to end sports departments in all major public sector institutions like Wapda, Railways,

Police and others, which caused a massive scare among the players affiliated with these organisations.

The previous government had set March 31, 2022 as the last date to close down sports departments in the public sector institutions.

However, the orders have not been not been implemented till now as all the departments resisted discarding the sportspersons from their department. And now with the new government in place, all the affected stakeholders are hoping for the withdrawal of the previous orders.

Talking to Dawn, former Test captain Intikhab Alam said departmental cricket must be restored noting it had helped many players make their their career bright and secure since it was introduced more than five decades ago by former Pakistan captain Abdul Hafeez Kardar, who also functioned as president of the Board of Control for Cricket in Pakistan (BCCP), which is now the Pakistan Cricket Board, from 1972-77.

“Later, everyone witnessed how several departmental teams were formed and [from them] how many international level cricketers emerged who got a huge opportunity to play the game [at the highest level] and secure their future,” the 80-year-old Intikhab said.

“But instead of encouraging departmental cricket and to bind the departments to also form their U-19 teams, appoint specialist coaches and other members of supporting staff to search and groom new talent, the departments were discouraged [by the previous government’s decision] which forced many of them to shut their doors to cricketers.

“And surprisingly, among those who discouraged departmental cricket were themselves the beneficiaries of that system,” Intikhab underscored. “When they were playing [for departments], everything was okay for them but when they left the game they went against that system.

“Pakistan is a nation of 220 million and we have only six teams in our first-class cricket. What can you produce through this system?” he asked.

Speaking on the same subject, former Test great Zaheer Abbas insisted departmental cricket should be revived forthwith underlining it was a great source for cricketers to gain success in the game even after ending their professional career.

“There were thousands of cricketers who benefited through the departmental cricket system and it should continue,” the batting maestro remarked.

Hockey legend Samiullah Khan also appealed the newly elected Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to restore sports activities in government departments as soon as possible.

“Sports in departments is a great incentive for players to make their future bright and secure,” Olympian Samiullah said while talking to Dawn.

“The standard of sports Pakistan has already been on the decline. Therefore, the government should take powerful steps to enlarge the role of departments towards the promotion of sports which helps society to grow with healthy minds,” the 70-year-old, known as Flying Horse due to his exceptional speed on the playing field, said.

Another former hockey Olympian Tauqir Dar also urged the government to encourage the departments’ role in promoting sporting culture across the country.

“Providing a government job to players is the best way to secure their future,” Tauqir stated. “Gigantic efforts [by the government] are needed to bring Pakistan sports back on the right track.”

Meanwhile, POA secretary general Khalid Mahmood advised the government to take immediate steps for safeguarding the future of players by giving them more jobs, instead of closing down sports departments.

“As a result of the policy adopted by the previous government, sports departments in different institutions had to be closed,” he said. “Though that policy could not be implemented, the new government has to change this policy.”

When contacted, Pakistan Sports Board director general retired Col Asif Zaman said the policy of the previous government was an affair to be dealt with by the ministry and it was formed much before he was inducted as DG.

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2022