Football World Cup

What sports mean to Pakistan

It is with good reason that football is the most famous sport in the world. The way it brings people, of all nationalities, religions, and ethnicities, together is inspiring. Sadly Pakistan has been unable to compete in this sport at the international level, even though it has a strong following in the country. Sports are an interesting reflection of a nation’s trajectory as a whole. Back in the two-superpower days, it was instructive how American and Soviet teams tested each other at the Olympics, and other sporting encounters. And now, with China on the ascent, we see the Asian powerhouse increasingly challenging US domination at the Olympics, besides making impressive gains in other domains.

But Pakistan’s sad story is not restricted to soccer. We have had our share of successes. In cricket, hockey, snooker, and squash, we have been world champions and dominated like no other. Some of our superstars, like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan, dominated their sport for years on end. Yet now such stories are well in the past. The squash pride is long gone, hockey is hardly anything to write home about, and even cricket, the national passion, now brings more losses than victories, more shame than pride.

Considering the country’s course over the last decade or two, though, it is not surprising that we have regressed in sports, along with almost every other area. For far too long now corrupt politicians and controversial generals have fought over executive power. And throughout their fights and feuds, each government’s prime agenda has been mere survival, which has often meant sidelining opposing forces. Little surprise, then, that the people missed the rulers’ attention, and the human resource base as a whole suffered a qualitative degradation, sports being just one feature of the bigger tragedy.

However, there is still hope. The recent street football world cup, in which boys from our slums made it to the semi finals, was ample proof of the level of talent our children possess. It is just a matter of harnessing this talent, and fine tuning these individuals into smart, competitive sportsmen. And that is where the official machinery plays a very significant role. Again, the football world cup shows how seriously most countries take such events, and how much hard work and heavy investment they put into such endeavours.

On top of its exciting moments, the world cup also carries important lessons for countries like Pakistan. Sports are part of a nation’s personality, and leading sportsmen and women among the most important ambassadors. It is time we paid more attention to our sports.