With poor management and underfunding, almost every major sport in the country is in decline.
LAHORE:
Decades of negligence and mismanagement have led Pakistani sport to a never-ending crisis. With the exception of cricket, most major disciplines including hockey, football, squash and athletics are in decline, with demoralized players and dwindling Olympic representation raising urgent concerns about the country’s sporting future.
This decline is not limited to a single sport or 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 lack of professional management. Cricket continues to receive overwhelming attention, sponsorships and resources, while other sports remain marginalized. The absence of a unified national sporting vision, coupled with inconsistent policies, has created an environment where talent is wasted and young athletes see little hope for sustainable careers beyond cricket.
Sports federations are widely considered to be a central factor behind this deterioration. Many federations have remained under the control of the same people for years, often without accountability or relevant sporting history. Critics argue that these positions are treated as sources of foreign travel, protocol and privileges rather than platforms for athlete development. As a result, players are denied basic facilities, modern training, sports science 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 by offering them stable employment and long-term financial security. Organizations like WAPDA, Railways, PIA, banks and other state institutions regularly recruited players and rewarded their good results. Talented athletes often receive multiple job offers, allowing them to focus on 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 Today, most of these institutions have withdrawn from sports employment.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 universities once had active playing fields, allocated sports budgets, and encouraged participation through sports fees. Over time, these incentives have diminished. Sports fees have been reduced and, in many cases, merit has been replaced by recommendations or sponsorships. This has discouraged committed athletes and weakened grassroots development. Parents, worried about an uncertain future and lack of career prospects, are increasingly discouraging children from playing sports, further reducing the national talent pool.
The collapse of the national sports structure has aggravated these problems. Regular leagues, sustained tournaments and grassroots competitions are now rare, leaving players with no clear paths to growth. Pakistan’s WAPDA remains the only major institution providing limited employment support, but it cannot bear the burden alone. Hockey, once a global power, has failed to qualify for the Olympics for years and faces unpaid fees and poor facilities.
Football remains mired in disputes and suspensions, while squash, boxing, wrestling and athletics continue to decline. Although Arshad Nadeem’s Olympic gold medal in 2024 was a historic achievement, experts stress that it was the result of individual perseverance rather than a system that works. Without immediate reforms, transparent governance and sustained investment, Pakistan’s sporting future will continue to deteriorate.
