Last summer i.e. summer of 2024 had brought glory to Pakistan when the country’s leading athlete Arshad Nadeem clinched the Olympic gold medal for Pakistan in the javelin-throw at the Paris Games.

This monumental achievement marked a historic milestone for Pakistan athletics and brought widespread acclaim, both nationally and internationally.

Although Arshad Nadeem’s Olympic feat was a personal yet one can’t forget the Athletics Federation of Pakistan’s (AFP’s) efforts besides his employer WAPDA’s support can’t be ignored rather AFP’s support was key factor.

Even sometime back General Dahlan Bin Jaman Al-Hamad, President of Asian Athletics and a member of Qatar’s Shura Council, had extended his congratulations to Major General (retd) Muhammad Akram Sahi, the former President of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) and Chairman of the South Asian Athletics Federation, over Arshad Nadeem’s

Olympic achievement.

Meanwhile Asian athletics took a significant step forward as leaders from member federations across the continent gathered for a strategic induction seminar under the chairmanship of Asian Athletics President Gen Dahlan B Hamad.

The high-profile meeting brought together senior athletic administrators, including Maj Gen (retd) Muhammad Akram Sahi (Retd), Vice President of Asian Athletics and Chairman of the Asian Athletics Development Commission, along with presidents and general secretaries from member federations.

In his address, Gen Dahlan emphasised the critical need for unified efforts to elevate Asian athletics on the global stage. He particularly praised Pakistan’s journey to athletic excellence, citing their achievement at the Paris Olympics as a model for Asian success in international competitions.

“Maximum participation in regional, area, and world competitions is essential to unearth and nurture talent capable of shining at global competitions,” Gen Dahlan stated during the seminar.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the widespread acknowledgment of the strategic plan developed by the Asian Athletics Development Commission under Gen Sahi’s leadership. The plan aims to create a robust framework for promoting athletics across Asia, focusing on talent development and international competitiveness.

The seminar represents a pivotal moment in Asian athletics, as the continent’s sporting leaders align their vision for achieving greater recognition in global athletics, demonstrating their commitment to overcoming challenges through collaborative efforts and strategic planning.

The event, organised by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan, marks another step in the federation’s ongoing efforts to strengthen Pakistan’s position in international athletics while contributing to the broader development of the sport across Asia.

However a lot is still to be done elevate Pakistan’s athletics to international and world standards and for that grassroots development is critical.

Schools, colleges, and provincial sports bodies must play a pivotal role in nurturing talent. Historically, the 1950s and 1960s were considered the golden era of Pakistan athletics, with legends like Abdul Khaliq and Ghulam Raziq setting Asian records and earning international acclaim. However, the absence of a structured development program has stifled progress in recent decades.

Reviving a strong athletics culture requires collaborative efforts. The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP), under the leadership of President Brig (retd) Wajahat Hussain and Secretary General Lt Col (retd) Shahjehan Mir, has been striving to promote the sport through district, provincial, and national championships.

Yet, the federation alone cannot shoulder this responsibility. Departments, educational institutions, and the private sector must step up to support the sport by creating job opportunities, funding development programs, and encouraging participation. –Sarfraz Ahmed