As the Paris Olympics is in full swing, Pakistani fans are expressing widespread disappointment over their country’s underwhelming participation and poor performance.

With only seven athletes representing a population of 240 million, expectations were already low.

The Pakistani shooting team’s failure to impress has added to the dismay, leaving javelin-thrower Arshad Nadeem as the last hope to make a mark in the Olympics, scheduled to compete early next week.

The stark reality is that Pakistan’s sports landscape is in decline. The failure of the national hockey team to qualify for the Paris Games 2024 has only exacerbated the situation. This downward trend raises concerns about the state of sports development and infrastructure.

The Pakistan hockey team kept the national flag flying high on many occasions starting with the gold medal at the Rome Olympics.

Later, Pakistan hockey team continued with impressive performances adding two more gold medals to their Olympic tally besides silver and bronze.

The last time Pakistan won an Olympic medal in hockey was a bronze at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

The last time Pakistanis were in contention for an Olympic medal was in Sydney in 2000, losing to the hosts in the third-place playoff.

In fact, 2024 marks four decades since Pakistan last won a hockey gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

It will take a long time before Pakistan can get back to the position it once occupied. In Pakistan, people look for medals instead of developing processes and systems.

It is humiliating for Pakistan that its hockey team could not qualify for the Paris Olympics whereas outfits from India, Argentina and Ireland made it to the Paris mega event.

Similar was the case with other teams of Pakistan and other athletes of individual events who finished far behind in the Olympic qualifiers.

In the realm of global sports, the pursuit of Olympic glory demands meticulous planning, strategic foresight, and unwavering commitment.

However, Pakistan’s approach to nurturing its athletes and fostering a competitive edge on the international stage presents a stark contrast to global standards.

Institutional Failings and Systemic Issues:

Pakistan, unlike its ambitious counterparts, often finds itself grappling with fundamental shortcomings in its sports development framework. The preparation timeline for Olympic Games, crucially initiated up to eight years in advance by leading nations, remains a glaring oversight in Pakistan’s strategy.

Pakistani athletes typically receive minimal training camps or resources before major competitions, resulting in disappointing performances and bottom-tier standings.

Lack of Strategic Investment and Oversight:

The journey to an Olympic gold medal demands more than mere luck - it necessitates sustained investment, meticulous planning, and robust support systems. However, Pakistan’s sports infrastructure often falls short in these critical areas. The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and national federations have been criticised for their inadequate support mechanisms. Rather than prioritising athlete scholarships and international exposure, concerns persist about internal politics and the proliferation of parallel federations, which detract from their core mission.

Budgetary constraints and corporate apathy:

Central to Pakistan’s sports woes is the stark disparity in financial allocation compared to global counterparts. While international peers allocate substantial budgets to sports and athletes, Pakistan struggles with meager funding, hampering the organisation of even national-level events. The corporate sector, fixated on cricket, neglects other sports disciplines, exacerbating financial limitations for non-cricket athletes.

Accountability and collaboration:

A paradigm shift is imperative, where every stakeholder—be it the government, POA, Pakistan Sports Board, national federations, or athletes—acknowledges and fulfills their role with unwavering dedication. The need for competent leadership, transparent governance, and a shared commitment to excellence is paramount to rejuvenating Pakistan’s sports landscape.

To propel Pakistan towards sporting prominence demands a comprehensive overhaul of existing paradigms. This necessitates strategic planning, enhanced financial allocations, and a concerted effort from all stakeholders to prioritise athlete development and international competitiveness. Only through collective accountability and proactive measures can Pakistan transition from its current state of sports disillusionment to a beacon of sporting excellence.