ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Athletics Federation (AFP) completely ignored the ground realities, while selecting athletes and coaches for the South Asian Games in India.
Instead of picking the best possible squad, who could stand realistic chances of winning medals and picking those coaches who had trained athletes for the last several months, the federation has named the blue-eyed coaches, who had only one or simply no player at their disposal. The most astonishing thing to note in the entire saga is the number of female coaches. AT first the AFP selected two female coaches for six female players, who would represent country in SAG. Then hidden hand all of sudden surfaced and another lady Seemi Rizvi’s name was also included in the touring party.
Twenty male players would be participating in the SAG, but only six male coaches were selected, which include head coach Asghar Gill, who remained absent most of the time form training camp as first he was on training course in Korea and then he remained in Lahore. Another nominee Sumira Zahoor is yet to get her name clear from doping as she was banned according to WADA rules and banned athlete can’t perform in any role until and unless he or she clears his or her doping tests and submit report. She was selected as coach against the rules and could be proved an embarrassment for the federation and the country if this matter came into the notice of international governing bodies.
Nadeem Khan and Ghulam Shabbir were selected as coaches with a student each in javelin throw and hammer throw. Shakeel has golden chance of winning gold medal in hammer throw, but Azhar Hussain is not being considered, who is a sure silver medal hope as he had achieved 64m distance during trials. Instead of sending army of coaches and non-relevant persons, athletes should have given priority to stand chances of winning medals for country. Same is the case with SAF 2010 gold medallist Zafar in triple jump. Although he finished second in tirals but he is a proven stuff and he should have been the part of the SAG contingent.
Same is the case in 100m relay as only four players are selected and if any of the player got injured, Pakistan chances of a medal would suffer huge blow as it was earlier witnessed last year, when during Fajr International, Sami was denied Iranian visa and Pakistan had to include M Sajjad in the relay and it costs Pakistan dearly in the medal race. For 400m flat and 400m hurdle, four players, who had trained by international record holder coach Rana Sagheer, would be without their mentor as he was left high and dry. Same is the case with Rana Sajjad, who was training 1500m athletes but was not considered for SAG.
In pole vault too, coach Ayub has trained players and the players would badly need him during the event but he was not considered and Pakistan would surely suffer as coach holds the key for a pole vault player in helping him during the competition. Pakistan holds the record in pole vault and gold would be on line. Similarly, discuss throw coach Shamas and triple jump coach M Waseem were also not being considered.
It is high time AFP President Major General (R) M Akram Sahi must look into this serious nature of issue and order inquiry as why such blunders are being committed and why merit is being set aside? Who would be held responsible in case Pakistan fails to win desired medals in athletics? Any delays in taking strict and timely action would left lot of questions needed to be answer by Gen Sahi.