Cricket's dominance hindering other sports, claims volleyball federation chairman
Asher Butt
Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob, former Inspector
General and Chairman of the Pakistan Volleyball Federation, has criticized the
disproportionate focus and funding allocated to cricket in Pakistan, arguing
that it comes at the expense of other sports and national athletic potential.
"Despite spending 13 billion rupees on improving
cricket stadiums, the national team exits the Champions Trophy on the very
first day with a dismal performance," Yaqoob stated in a message shared
with The News. He emphasized that investing a fraction of that amount in the
country's 30-plus other sports, coupled with infrastructure development, could
enable Pakistani athletes to win numerous medals at the Olympics, Asian Games,
Commonwealth Games, and global events.
Yaqoob lamented the fact that government attention and
sponsorship are overwhelmingly directed towards cricket. "Cricketers
receive millions of rupees even after losing, which demoralizes athletes from
other sports. This is an injustice to talented players in Pakistan," he
asserted. He called for a more equitable distribution of sponsorship, urging
the government to mandate that sponsors support a variety of sports, not just
cricket.
Drawing a comparison with neighboring India, Yaqoob
highlighted the Indian government's strategy of linking major corporations with
various sports and allocating substantial budgets. He argued that this approach
has propelled India far ahead of Pakistan in sports.
Speaking specifically about volleyball, Yaqoob noted that it
boasts the highest number of events among all sports in Pakistan, often funded
by the federation itself. He stressed the importance of attracting more
sponsors to increase player earnings and enhance their performance on the
international stage.
Yaqoob acknowledged that while earning money is a player's
right, many federations lack the funds to organize national-level events,
leading to the suppression of talented athletes. He called for government
policies to ensure that athletes receive their due rights.
Clarifying his stance, Yaqoob stated that he is not against
cricket but expressed disappointment over the team's consistent failures
despite massive investments. He contrasted this with volleyball's track record
of success at South Asian, Central Asian, Asian, and global levels.
The Pakistan Volleyball Federation, he said, regularly
organizes provincial and national events. Following a successful event in
Lahore last month, the federation is now preparing to host the National
Championship from April 4th to 10th in collaboration with POF Wah Cantt. The
championship will feature teams from all provinces and major departments, with
matches being broadcast live.
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