My today's topic of discussion is the 19th Asian Games which China will host in Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8 and Pakistan's chances in the quadrennial event.

Before coming to the actual subject I would like to say there is no ethics in Pakistan's sports system. The authorities do what they want without caring for sports development. Every sector considers itself the lords of the country's sports not knowing that this sector is not their property but it is the nation's property. I was surprised to see that the authorities leaked to a section of the media the entire Asian Games-bound contingent when majority of the federations did not want to do so at a stage when Asian Games are still two months away.

The biggest impact of this will be on the preparation. Those athletes who are in the camps but are not part of the Asian Games squads will stop training with the same commitment which they were doing when they did not know their Asian Games selection chances. This will reduce the competitive environment in the various camps and the ultimate sufferers will be those who will be going to feature in the Asiad as they will not get good preparation in the absence of committed partners.

As far as Pakistan's chances in the Asian Games are concerned I can say that the things look very difficult.

In some sports disciplines, the Asian Games standard is near the world standard. In wushu we got a few medals in the past in the Asian Games but this time there is no such chance. The country's premier fighter Maaz Khan is not playing due to an injury while a few went offshore seeking greener pastures and one did not get accreditation.

Judo has become a victim of politics. In taekwondo Haroon Khan this time should reach the victory podium as Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) has provided him with good exposure.

In karate something should be expected from Canada-based seasoned fighter and former Asian champion Saadi Abbas. As this will be his last Asian Games he will be making every effort to end his Asian Games medal drought.

In wrestling like in the past again we don't have any realistic chance and so is in weightlifting. Although the premier weightlifter Nooh Dastgir Butt has fallen victim of politics and he will not be featuring in the Asiad but in this discipline we can never expect a medal because of its extremely high standard.

We have a solid chance of a medal in javelin throw in the Asian Games if the Olympian Arshad Nadeem achieves top fitness. His fitness will be known at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary, next month.

If Pakistan's No2 is sent then the nation may get a double chance.

Although we have talented sprinter Shajar Abbas in the side but he is far away from medal zone.

In squash we may get a medal in the team event. The newly-crowned world junior squash champion Hamza Khan is not in Pakistan's squad.

In shooting we have a talented lot but medal chances are not bright.

In kabaddi we have a confirmed medal, at least bronze if not gold or silver. Iran and South Korea last time lifted gold and silver, respectively, in the Asian Games. Pakistan and India, which were once undisputed powerhouses, finished with the bronze medals.

In volleyball, badminton, table tennis, swimming, sailing, climbing, archery, boxing, fencing, e-sports and rowing we will get experience.

Yes, our hockey team can finish at the victory podium. In tennis Pakistan is capable of doing its best.

Yes, there are medal chances in both men's and women's cricket but its credit will go to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and not the Olympic family.

Pakistan's athletes are preparing for the Asian Games these days. Yes in some disciplines no camps have been held and players are managing their own training. I ask those federations whose officials only focus on their personal businesses and are blatant joy-riders: how will you protect yourselves as in future you may face accountability.

Currently camps are in operation at various centres of the country but neither the athletes get the required diet nor do they have at their disposal the required equipment.

Our authorities should focus on these things.

How will our athletes train hard when they don't get top nutrition?

Hope we extend joint support to the athletes who are preparing for the Asian Games. If we return with a thin medal-tally it will be a huge failure of the authorities who consider themselves as custodians of sports in the country.

73.alam@gmail.com