THERE are a few sports in Pakistan that are monopolised by the so-called elite who consider everyone else sub-humans. Along with from golf and tennis, swimming is one sport that is considered the domain, fiefdom, actually, of the arrogant elite.

My daughter was chosen to participate in the Sindh Women’s Swimming Championship recently organised in Karachi. This was the first time for her and us. We arrived at the venue very excited. I was happy to see many senior ladies accompanied by younger ones managing the event.

Many mothers, including myself, were encouraging their girls when one manager came by, and in a threatening tone told the mothers to leave or else their child would be disqualified.

This could have been done in a courteous manner, but the organisers chose to convey a simple message in a seriously humiliating, if not threatening, tone.

Walking away, I stood almost at the exit just to see the event starting. Along came another headmistress-like lady who almost shouted at me, telling me that I could not stand there. What was that shouting about?

It is rather strange that in Pakistan, anyone given the slightest of authority tends to transform into a monster. There were young girls, most of them there for the first time, scared, anxious and nervous. Smiles would have been more welcoming for them and their mothers, but the event organisers chose a different path, behaving rather rudely while adopting a contemptuous tone.

Things may improve if the events are organised in a friendly and welcoming environment. This may certainly enhance the performance of young newcomers who need encouragement, which is just not possible in a hostile atmosphere.

Ariba Khan
Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2024