Wajeeh Ullah

On 8 August 2024 the everlasting drought for Pakistan at the Olympics medal table ended when Arshad Nadeem made history by clinching gold medal after 32 years. The win brought many National and International records for Arshad Nadeem as he became the first Athlete in Pakistan to win an Olympic Gold medal Individually and In Athletics. Arshad won the gold medal by a whooping 92.97m throw that followed a 91.79m throw as his third and final throw in the contest. Arshad’s victory is remarkable in its nature because he brock the 118-year-old Olympic record in Javelin throw. It was the only medal won by any Pakistani Athlete at the Paris Olympic 2024. Hence, Pakistan ended on 62^nd place at the medal table leaving India behind at 71^st place.

 So far Pakistan has won 11 medals in total at the Olympic games. It includes 4 Gold medals, 3 Silver medals and 4 Bronze medals. The first man to clinch individual medal for Pakistan was Muhammad Bashir who won bronze medal in Freestyle Wrestling at Rome Olympics in 1960. Hussain shah became the second person to win an individual bronze medal in the Middleweight Boxing category at Seoul Olympics in 1988.

In the past all eyes used to be set on Hockey which is also the national sports of the country but in recent times Hockey hasn’t been able enough to produce any memorable results. Their last win was at LOS ANGELAS Olympics in 1984 where they clinched gold medal.

This fall from Grace is very painful to be witnessed. Although Pakistan is a youthful country and there is no doubt about the presence of immense unidentified talent in the youth of Pakistan. But sadly, our sports authorities have remained unqualified in identifying these raw talents.

In Pakistan Olympic rehearsals is watched over by Pakistan Olympics Association. It is a recognized body of officials from the International Olympics Committee. The top brass comprises of the President, General secretary, Vice president and the Executive Body. It was not until January 2024 that the POA was led by a retired Army General LT® Aric Hassan who was appointed the associations president by General Pervaiz Musharraf in 2004. Since then, he has remained in power undisputedly and managed to retain 4 terms in office. He amended the constitution of Pakistan Olympic Association multiple times by extending the terms limit for   Presidency from two terms to consecutive four terms in office. He also ousted Prime Minister of Pakistan as the Patron in chief of the association. On Jan 1 2024, Arif Hassan was replaced bey the new President Abid Qadri took over the office as he is also a retired Additional IG of Police.

The presence of such elements has weakened the quality and morale of athletes and supporting staff. A news from PARIS OLYMICS 2024 remarked that for a group of 7 Athletes that represented Pakistan in the Games there was an additional 17 member staff that comprised of the officials of the Association. This disparity is quite shameful.

The fate of Athletes in Pakistan can only be reversed in positive direction if the POA works efficiently, holds frequent High-performance camps for the Athletes hires international coaching staff, orders yearly Auditory reports and keeps away the meddling of politics away from the committee.

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Wajeeh Ullah is a student of BS Political Science at Government College University Lahore.