OLYMPIC Games in Paris have started where athletes from all over the world can be seen vying for top honours. The Olympics is the mega stage athletes wish to shine on, and for which they put in hours and hours of training and practice.

Thousands of athletes from all over the world are participating in this year’s Games and each one of them will be trying to make their country proud. Pakistan also has ‘some’ representation in the competition. I use the word ‘some’ because it is rather unfortunate that only seven athletes from the whole country succeeded in qualifying for the Games. It is, indeed, saddening to see that a country having a population of about 240 million cannot even manage to prepare 10 athletes who may qualify to compete at the international level.

This is merely a reflection of our sporting infrastructure and how much importance sports is given in the country. Except for the major cities, like Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore, no other city has proper sporting facilities where athletes may train without worrying about the shortage of equipment or training grounds.

Besides, after every major event, like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, where Pakistani athletes fail to make a name, we see a lot of ministers making announcements to improve facilities for our athletes. However, regrettably, no significant measures have been taken yet.

Muhammad Abdullah Khan
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2024