To say that the world of Pakistan sports is going through a rough period would be an understatement. Across our sporting spectrum, there is confusion, turmoil, uncertainty, infighting and the list goes on.

Some optimists believe that a major part of Pakistan’s sport puzzle can be solved by holding elections in bodies like the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF). Well, if merely holding elections were the answer for our country’s woes then we should have already been on the path to prosperity and peace. After all, it’s been six months that ìfree and fairî elections paved the path for a Nawaz Sharif government to take control of a country that was on the verge of destruction following a fiveyear Zardari rule. Unfortunately, the country is in no better shape than it was during the PPP regime.

Just take a look at the outcome of the recent PHF elections. Former Olympians Akhtar Rasool and Rana Mujahid were ‘elected’ as President and Secretary General of the Federation respectively. They replaced another set of ex-Olympians -- Qasim Zia and Asif Bajwa -- after winning the controversial PHF elections unanimously. But in spite of the elections, Pakistan’s hockey crisis is far from over. A growing group of former Olympians that include legends like Shahnaz Sheikh, Islahuddin Siddiqui, Samiullah and several others have rejected the elections and are now pushing for a transparent exercise to elect PHF officials. It sounds like dèjá vu as for the last several years, similar turmoil and chaos have marred Pakistan hockey.

Similar is the case of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA). Ever since Lt Gen (retd) Arif Hasan won a third term as POA president, there has been a war-like situation in the national sports circles. Several parallel associations have been formed, pitting sports officials against one another. In fact, with full government support several elements have formed a parallel POA which has pushed Pakistan closer to international suspension.

The country’s cricket fraternity is now awaiting elections in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Just a few months, an exercise which the then cricket chiefs of the country claimed was ‘elections’ did take place. It allowed the then PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf to extend his tenure. But Ashraf’s stint was cut short when the courts decided, quite rightly, that the elections were not fair. Ashraf was shown the door and his exit paved the path for eminent journalist Najam Sethi to take over as the Board’s acting chairman. The courts decided that Sethi’s number one priority will be to hold transparent election for the post of PCB chairman. However, a few deadlines have passed but the exercise remains elusive. Sethi argues that in the absence of an electoral college it is almost impossible to hold a proper election. He certainly has a point. Across Pakistan, regional cricket associations are mired in infighting. Before holding an election in the PCB it is of utmost importance to have properly elected representatives in regions and districts. Unfortunately, it is going to be a long road before the Board achieves that task.

So why is the world of Pakistan sports so riddled with problems of such humongous proportions?

The answer is quite simple: The people who are supposed to find solutions are actually part of the problem. Most of the country’s sports officials are power-hungry and are in the fray to push their personal agendas. That’s the reason why elections are either avoided or rigged by vested interest elements that allows them to either stay in power or seize it.

It has been happening for years but such is the state of Pakistan sports that it cannot be allowed to go on any longer. Ways and means should be found to effectively root out such elements which are pushing Pakistan sports towards further destructions. Only then, it would be possible to hold transparent elections which will bring in the sort of people who can ensure that Pakistan sports will have a better tomorrow.