With poor management and insufficient funding, almost every major sport in the country is in decline.
LAHORE:
Decades of neglect and mismanagement have plunged Pakistani sport into a never-ending crisis. With the exception of cricket, most major sports, including hockey, football, squash and athletics, are in decline, with demoralization among players and dwindling Olympic representation raising urgent concerns about the country’s sporting future.
This decline is not limited to a single sport or a single institution, but reflects the failure of an entire system built over decades. Sports that once brought global recognition to Pakistan now suffer from government indifference, insufficient funding and a lack of professional administration. Cricket continues to receive considerable attention, sponsorship and resources, while other sports remain marginalized. The lack of a unified national vision for sport, coupled with inconsistent policies, has created an environment in which talent is wasted and young athletes see little hope of a lasting career beyond cricket.
Sports federations are widely seen as a central factor in this deterioration. Many federations have remained under the control of the same individuals for years, often without accountability or relevant sporting experience. Critics argue that these positions are treated as sources of foreign travel, protocols and privileges rather than platforms for athlete development. As a result, players are denied basic facilities, modern coaching, sports scientific support and fair selection processes. The growing disconnect between administrators and athletes has led to frustration, protests and a steady erosion of trust within the sports community.
In the past, government departments played a crucial role in supporting athletes with stable employment and long-term financial security. Organizations such as WAPDA, railways, PIA, banks and other public institutions regularly recruited players and rewarded good performance. Talented athletes often receive multiple job offers, allowing them to focus on their training without financial stress. Today, most of these institutions have withdrawn from sports employment. Where opportunities still exist, they are limited to short-term contracts or temporary scholarships, leaving athletes vulnerable and forcing many to abandon competitive sports altogether.
Educational institutions also reflect the broader decline of sports culture. Schools and colleges once had active playing fields, allocated sports budgets and encouraged participation through sports quotas. Over time, these incentives have diminished. Sports quotas were reduced and, in many cases, merit was replaced by endorsements or sponsorships. This discouraged committed athletes and weakened grassroots development. Parents, concerned about an uncertain future and lack of career prospects, are increasingly discouraging their children from playing sports, further reducing the national talent pool.
The collapse of the national sports structure has compounded these problems. Regular leagues, sustained tournaments, and grassroots competitions are now rare, leaving players without clear paths to growth. Pakistan WAPDA remains the only major institution providing limited employment assistance, but it cannot shoulder this burden alone. Hockey, once a global power, has failed to qualify for the Olympics for years and finds itself struggling with unpaid dues and poor facilities.
Football remains locked in disputes and suspensions, while squash, boxing, wrestling and athletics continue to disappear. Although Arshad Nadeem’s 2024 Olympic gold medal is a historic achievement, experts point out that it is the result of individual perseverance rather than a functioning system. Without immediate reforms, transparent governance and sustained investment, Pakistan’s sporting future will continue to deteriorate.
