ISLAMABAD - The 2014 was one of the worst years for Pakistan sports, as the athletes hardly managed to win medals at high–ranked international events rather they suffered to greater extent due to the rift between the two Pakistan Olympic Associations (POAs).
Pakistan sports were about to be banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), if the issue between the two POAs was not resolved. Credit goes to the IPC ministry which dealt the case at the later stage and saved the country from IOC ban.
Due to pressure by the IOC, Pakistani government accepted the Lt Gen (r) Arif Hasan-led POA as legal body, leaving Maj Gen (r) M Akram Sahi with no other option but to seek justice form the court of law.
Gen Arif, who has been enjoying his third tenure as POA chief, selected his blue-eyed teams and individuals to represent the country in international high-profile events, which resulted in more miseries for the country, as green shirts couldn’t perform well and were unable to produce even ordinary results.
Gen Arif continued to exploit the IOC to the best of his advantage, poor, below ordinary results continued to come thick and fast. Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Director General Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera had given clean-chit to the POA and he was reaping the benefits with both hands, as he was enjoying all the tours along with his yes persons, least bothered about results. Instead of the players’ well-being, he has been focusing on enjoying perks and privileges, dailies.
Pakistan's performance in Commonwealth Games was enough to open eyes of responsible persons, where Pakistani athletes, despite a huge contingent and an army of officials, participated, just managed to win four medals, two silvers and two bronze with no gold medal at all. A lot of questions were asked from the IPC minister regarding players criteria and selection process. The minister made several promises of launching investigation and not to repeat such things in future, but to no avail, the process of including blue-eyed and favorites in international events continued unabated. Pakistani swimmers were reported for theft, and the Pakistan Swimming Federation is still conducting inquiry, but no punishment so far awarded to the culprits. The country had to suffer tremendous embracement at international forum, but responsible persons are least bothered about the image and prestige of the country, they had other areas of importance to look after.
After disgraceful results in Commonwealth Games, it was hoped merit would finally prevail and the IPC minister would take stern action against the POA and ensure free, fair and transparent selection, but to the utter disappointment, the genuine players and athletes are being deprived of their basic rights and are not being included in the squad for mega events.
Only women team saved Pakistan blushes, as they won a lone gold medal in the Asian Games cricket final, otherwise, Pakistani contingent failed to impress. Squash showed worst ever results as for the first time in the history of Pakistan squash, Pakistani team failed to go beyond quarterfinals, despite the fact that they were the defending champions. An inquiry was ordered, but the report is still to surface, the PSF hushed up the entire issue and passed on the defeat burden on the shoulders of head coach Jamshed Gul Khan and head coach post was abolished.
Only Pakistan is the country where there is no need of coaches, otherwise, all the top squash playing nations gave top priority of appointing top coaches and that too on long term basis. Poor and pathetic umpiring forced the Pakistan hockey team receive the defeat in the Champions Trophy final against Germany and had to settled for silver medal.
There is no one who could keep a check and balance on the POA and seek answers for poor selection criteria, as the top players are being ignored just because of personal reasons, low-standard players were selected for the mega events, and results were not too hard to judge.
The time is high when, instead of getting blackmailed by Gen Arif and the company, the IPC minister must take stern action and just stance against those who are responsible for the debacle of Pakistan sports and honour at international level.
Just because of POA clash, Pakistan tennis team was denied from defending their Islamic Solidarity Games title. Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) remained busy in 2014 in playing a number of international and national level activities despite the fact they were having very nominal financial resources. In South Asian Judo Championship, held at Katmandu, Nepal, Pakistan judo team got second position by winning 3 gold, 3 silver and 6 bronze medals and for the first time, Humera Ashiq won gold in international event.
In Commonwealth Games held in Scotland, Pakistan’s Shah Hussain Shah won silver medal while in the World Judo Championships held in Chelyabinsk, Russia, Shah Hussain, Syed Samiullah, Ahmad Shahzad along with coach Sajjad Kazemi and manager, Asif Iqbal participated. In the Asian Games, held at Korea, Shah Hussian took fifth position and Pakistan finished 16th  out of 48 countries. The world championships junior and team events held at Miami Wajahat Sarwar participated along with manager/coach Aslam Cheema and surprised all by beating 20th ranking Spanish athlete in the first round.
The 2015 is looking quite bright for judo, a dedicated team headed by Col Shujaat Ali Rana and Masood Ahmed looks all set to rewrite history books and help Pakistan perform exceptionally for medals.
Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation (PTBF) finally managed to construct their own bowling alley at Islamabad. Pakistan tenpin team participated in the Tenpin Bowling World Championship in Abu Dhabi and performed exceptionally well. Although they failed to win medals, yet they managed to win hearts.
Pakistan Disabled Sports Association (PDSA) was formally launched with two major events, first PDSA cricket team played against Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA) and then cricket match between PDSA and Islamabad Chamber cricket teams were held on December 3 to mark World Disabled Day. Former directors of Pakistan Cricket Association for Physically Handicapped formed the newly-body for the disabled persons and it was not restrict to cricket only other sports for disabled persons were also very much on the cards.
The PDSA suffered huge set back as they lost their patron Munawar Mughal, who had started campaign for the betterment of disabled players. PDSA chairman Sheikh Abdul Waheed and secretary Nasir Mehmood Chaudhry have promised to continue his mission and provide every facility to disabled players. They have also given go ahead to hosting first Asia Cup for Disabled persons in Pakistan in April, PDSA delegation would leave to India in second week of January.
Pakistan's wonder kid Sadi Abbas continued to shine in karate and won a number of titles despite limited resources. The Punjab CM lived up to his promise and honor Sadi with cash incentives. Sadi has promised to deliver more in the coming year.
Pakistan kabaddi team also did well finishing second in world cup and other major events just behind India and also won silver medal in Asian Beach Games in Thailand, losing against Iran in final, Asia Cup gold medal in Lahore, beating arch-rivals India in the final. Pakistan kabaddi would participate in a number of events next year. Pakistan Kabbadi Federation secretary Rana Sarwar looked quite optimistic about his team’s chances in international events.
It is hoped that the 2015 will bring a new ray of hope in Pakistan sports and players will get not only their basic rights but also provided standard level training and facilities and only genuine players will be selected for international events so that Pakistan may win laurels at international level. It is also hoped that Gen Arif will learn from his past mistakes and did his best to bring Pakistan sports to new heights.