Pakistan ended the Tokyo Olympics with a dismal performance after its athletes failed to win a single medal. None of the athletes managed to reach the podium and prolonged the nation’s chance to gain glory at the global sporting event.
Two athletes managed to reach the finals – javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and weightlifter Talha Talib. They entered the final rounds but could not break the stranglehold. Shooter Gulfam nearly missed out on the final spot in the 10-metre air pistol. The athletes have still received praise for their efforts and for giving hope to a nation where sports have been neglected.
This has highlighted the lack of support and allocation of resources. Many of the athletes secured their position on their own or were given invitational quotas. Pakistan’s presence in international sports had dwindled in recent years. We have not won an Olympic medal since 1992. The hockey team which won the most medals has been failed to even qualify for the last two Olympics.
Sports funding is frowned upon and is considered a waste of resources. Sports associations and boards fail to provide resources to athletes whereas corporate sponsorships are a distant dream. Athletes have to spend their own funds or seek other resources. We also lack proper sporting facilities and coaching where our athletes can train to achieve excellence. Sports funding should be our priority if we want to achieve success in future events.
The prime minister, himself a renowned sportsman, has admitted that he was unable to focus on sports development due to other pressing problems. It seems that government has no interest in reforming the sports sector which has only focused on cricket. India’s success at Tokyo Olympics, where it secured seven medals including one gold, was due to sponsorship by the state and private sector. It is imperative that we should implement such actions.
The head of the Olympic committee should resign immediately or be sacked for staying at the helm for 17 years and showing no performance. It may be heartbreaking that we lack in sports but it is never too late before we set our goals and achieve glory in the future.
