Government non-cooperation, talented athletes who could not participate in international competitions

In Pakistan these days, while there is a lot of talk about the success of Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem, there are also talks about some other sportsmen in the country who won medals for Pakistan in the Olympics or other major international competitions in the form of government support. Could statistics show that Pakistan currently has at least five athletes who could have participated in the Olympics or other such major global events and won medals as a result of the government’s attention and provision of facilities? These athletes have attributed their non-participation in the Olympics, Commonwealth, or other major global events to the poor strategy of the respective government federations. Pakistani wrestler Inam Butt
Pakistani wrestler Inam Butt, who won the gold medal for Pakistan in the world competitions, could not participate in the Olympics this year. They have also attributed their non-participation in the Paris Olympics to the federation’s poor strategy and lack of facilities. Talking to Urdu News, Inam Butt has said that it is necessary to hold wrestling competitions throughout the year to qualify for the Olympics. However, we do not get such competitions nor are any other facilities provided.
“Wrestling in Pakistan is the sport that can win medals in the Olympics. Pakistani wrestlers have also won medals in the Commonwealth Games. If the government makes preparations and arrangements for participating in the Olympics, Pakistani wrestlers like Arshad Nadeem can also make Pakistan’s name shine in the Olympics. Commonwealth Games gold medalist Noah Dastgir Butt
Commonwealth Games gold medalist weightlifter Noah Dastgir Butt has blamed the Weightlifting Federation for not participating in the Paris Olympics.
In this regard, he has said in one of his statements that the ‘Weightlifting Federation of Pakistan did not want me to participate in the Olympics.’
Noah Dastgir Butt accused the Weightlifting Federation that “the federation officials did not want to send me to the Paris Olympics due to personal grudge.” Talking about the facilities given to the players, he said that any player in Pakistan is given facilities only when he achieves a big success. I was also given facilities after winning the Commonwealth Games. No one paid attention to it. The Commonwealth Games gold medalist said that after winning a medal, the federation says that only they should be given credit even though the real hard work is done by someone else.
It may be recalled that earlier Noah Dastgir Butt won the gold medal for Pakistan in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Great Britain. He not only won the gold medal but also set a new Commonwealth Games record by lifting a total of 405 kg against weightlifters above 109 kg. Pakistani boxer Usman Wazir
Pakistani boxer Usman Wazir, who won his 13 international fights in a row, could not represent Pakistan in Paris Olympics 2024.
He told Urdu News that it was his wish to represent Pakistan in the Olympics, Commonwealth, and Asian Games, but the current system of Pakistan did not provide him with this opportunity.
Usman Wazir said that there are two federations of one sport in the country and they support you only when you support one faction, in such an environment the player cannot progress.
He said, “Due to the open system in Pakistan, I have decided that now I will only participate in professional boxing competitions and win most titles.” Usman Wazir stressed that if players like Arshad Nadeem are to be produced, politics has to be removed from sports and players have to be given equal opportunities based on merit. Remember that Usman Wazir has also won the World Youth Title, Asian Title, and Middle East Title for Pakistan.
Pakistani pole vaulter Ali Jaffer
Ali Jafar, a young player who has achieved a prominent position in pole vault competitions at the local level in Pakistan, is also eager to represent Pakistan at the international level.
He has said in one of his statements that if he is provided adequate facilities and funds at the government level, he can win medals for Pakistan by participating in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympics. Javelin thrower Mohammad Yasir Sultan
In Pakistan, after Arshad Nadeem, the second biggest javelin throw player, Mohammad Yasir Sultan, also complains about the lack of government support for the athletes.
He said in one of his statements that the government had announced to reward of 50 lakh rupees for winning the silver medal in the Asian Throwing Championship. This announcement has not yet been implemented and has become a reason for non-participation in international competitions. Javelin Tharoor Muhammad Yasir has also recently mentioned that he did not have the facility of even a standard javelin.
In one of his statements, he said ‘I have only training to do, it should be the responsibility of the government to provide facilities.’
It may be recalled that Muhammad Yasir Sultan won the silver medal in the Asian Throwing Championship held in South Korea with a throw of 78.10. Brigadier (retd) Arif Siddiqui, former director general of Pakistan Sports Board and former head of Army Sports Board, was contacted on the issue of not providing adequate facilities to Pakistani athletes to participate in international competitions, he told Urdu News. Pakistan currently lacks players who meet the standards of international competitions. Compared to local level or regional competitions, Commonwealth or Olympics competitions require many years of hard work and athletes face tougher competition.
He said that if an athlete wins a medal on a minor platform, it does not necessarily mean that he has qualified for the Olympics. However, he said that if a standard system is established in the country for such athletes, they can participate in major competitions like the Olympics.