Sports’ downfall in Pakistan is not a new story. There were days when the country was not only a dominant force in the region but produced some of the world’s best in different sports from hockey to cricket and squash.
But that glorious history does not resonate with the current situation where things are going from bad to worse continuously.
Pakistan are now on the verge of another medal-less campaign at the Tokyo Olympics which would extend their medal drought to nearly 30 years in the mega-event.
Ever since it is becoming increasingly clear that the country will not be able to secure any notable triumph in the ongoing games, fans along with some former athletes have criticised the authorities about the dismal state of affairs in the sports industry on social media platforms, particularly on Twitter.
Some pointed out fingers at the fact that the head of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has not been changed for the last 17 years whereas some pointed out that the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) was run on an ad hoc basis for two years leading to the games.
Some are taking PSB into account for the failure in the Olympics. There are 44 federations working under the umbrella of PSB including the likes of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and Pakistan Swimming Federation.
It is the PSB that receive funds from the government through the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination and then they further distribute it to different organisations who are affiliated with them.
It is also PSB’s responsibility to make sure that athletes get the best possible facilities to train, conducting talent hunt programs and figuring out ways to send athletes abroad to take part in different competitions in order to prepare for the mega-event.
