The first-ever Pakistan Super League (PSL) has started in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), leaving the grounds of Pakistan forlorn and abandoned.

However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had no other option as foreign players were unwilling to come to Pakistan for security reasons.

Though being held in a foreign land, the PSL is still the major attraction for the people of Pakistan for cricket is their most favourite sport. Despite the hullaballoo before the start of the tournament, only a few key T20 players signed for the PSL because it carries low remuneration as compared to the Indian Premier League. Chris Gayle, Kevin Pietersen, Shane Watson and Luke Wright are the only key foreign players who are playing for different teams.

The holding of the PSL in the UAE carries both plus and negative points. It is not good for the repute of the country that such a premier event is being held in a foreign country. But the positive aspect is that the PCB has finally managed to start the event after postponing it twice in the past due to many issues related to finance and administration. The credit must be given to Najam Sethi, the chairman of the PSL. Now everyone must be focusing on the results of the PSL in terms of finance and discipline.

A good number of the spectators, mainly Pakistani expatriates living in the UAE, thronged the Dubai International Stadium on the first two days of the PSL. Five participating teams are Lahore Qalandars, Karachi Kings, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, and Islamabad United. The event will continue till Feb 23.

On the other hand, athletes of around 20 different sports are in India to participate in the 12th South Asia Games, being held in Indian cities of Shillong and Guwahati. As many as 2,672 athletes of eight countries of the South Asian, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan, Pakistan and India, are competing in the event. Pakistan has fielded a contingent of 447 athletes and officials. On the points table, Pakistan is on the third place, lagging behind India and Sri Lanka.

A good number of women appeared in a Jashan-i-Baharan Women Powerlifting Cup which was held here last week. In Pakistan, women are showing great interest for the sports. In the recent past, women have also emerged in the sports of weightlifting, Kabaddi and powerlifting. An exhibition match between Pakistan Greens and Whites was held which was one by the former. Amna Rasheed, Hafiza Iqra, Amta Saleem, Alisha Imran, Moham Farooq, Sadia Khalil, Zobia Ghulam, Atubah Saleem, Mona Javed, Saima Ali Noor Fatima all impressed the spectators with their performance for their teams.

Amna led the Greens and also lifted the highest weight of 130kg, Hafiza Iqra, captain of Whites, also lifted second highest weight of 125kg.

After the Sports Board Punjab got involved in the game of cricket by inducting former Pakistan Test batsman Zaheer Abbas to run cricket academies, Lahore Commissioner Abdullah Sumbal has also jumped in to promote cricket by holding inter-school event for the Lahore Division.

A comprehensive sports policy must be formed to promote the sporting activities at the schools and college levels. Every government school and college, having a big ground, should be asked to make their cricket, hockey and football teams. Private sector schools should also be asked to have infrastructure to provide their students with an opportunity to play sports like table-tennis, basketball and volleyball.

The divisional commissioner can play a pivotal role in resuming the sporting activities at educational institutes. The Punjab Sports Board should chalk out a comprehensive programme to prepare coaches for various sports to make available their expertise to the divisional commissioners to use them at the educational institutions.

Meanwhile, 16 schools of the Lahore Division that gained top three positions in their districts have been invited to play a cricket tournament in Lahore.

The Lahore Polo Club’s season reached its peak and it also involves some foreigner players.

Polo players from Argentina and Brazil have become a regular feature of the polo club events as they all love to play in Lahore. But the polo club always prefers to give less highlight to the visit of foreign players due to their security.

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2016