In the oldest stadium in the city many young men are getting training in different sports -- a culture developed by the very people who played here when they were young. What is striking is their commitment as the sports here is not patronised by the government.

This is Railway Stadium in Garhi Shahu, Lahore where the structures are old and the population around is middle class and low income group. This has saved it from any encroachment. There are no eateries, no business in this stadium. It is a place where the young play different sports, so the stadium serves the purpose for which it was made.

In the evening, the courts are filled with spirited youth. There is a basketball court, an akhara where the wrestlers do workout and practice ‘kushti’, an indoor weightlifter’s training club and of course a cricket ground.

There are spectators who come to enjoy the different games, among them there are senior players which is encouraging for the players. I am also there to see the basketball game. Boys in shorts and sleeveless shirts start gathering in the court except for the new comers who are not aware of the dress code. The game is exhilarating -- 40 minutes of thrill throughout which doesn’t stop for a minute. "At every whistle the clock stops. The clock is ‘on’ only during playing time," says the coach Asif Iqbal Khan who has been training boys in basketball game for the last 20 years for free.

Asif is the coach of Frank Five Basketball Club which is there for 40 years now. Those who want to play come here and are helped to learn the game. Boys come to us to learn to play so that they can get admission on the basis of basketball. Those who love the sport stay and become good players. The Frank Five Club has ten to fifteen players at all times. Asif Iqbal Khan and his pupil Khurram Khan who is now in Pakistan Railways team, train them for free.

Asif, who is also Associate Secretary of Punjab Basketball Association, has proposed to PHA that the association can provide good coaches at the different courts in parks if there is incentive for them. If there is a good trainer parents also encourage their children to play basketball which cultivates great self-discipline in players. "Patience and team work are very important here. You get angry and you lose," says Khurram Khan, the trainer next to Asif Iqbal Khan. It was particularly note-worthy that the boys never uttered a foul word even once during the game.

There are at least four courts in different parks under the PHA. They are in Gulshan Iqbal Park, Johar Town, Model Town and in a park along Ravi near Ring Road. There are three indoor basketball courts at LUMS, Punjab College and Sports Board complex.

At one time, Pakistan was the 7th team in Asia, now Pakistan team does not even qualify to contest in Asian games. The reason is that no camps are set up. Main thing is camps, says Asif. There are no tours, no visits of basketball teams from other countries. A basketball team has 15-16 members. Travel costs a lot and there is no money -- no investment in the player and game. "When there is a competition, we take care that the boys have complete kit. We do it on our own at times," Asif says. There is no money from the government, nothing.

"When Punjab Olympics Association (POA) holds competition among schools and colleges, maximum participation comes in basketball," says Asif who is also the executive member of the POA.

Companies can sponsor games and players like they do cricket and hockey. Haier is investing crores in cricket. Fifty crore were allotted for hockey and there was no result. There is huge money in cricket. Why not invest in basketball which is gaining popularity among the youth?

If the Sports Board patronises clubs, the genuine ones will stay and bogus ones will be eliminated automatically. Partonising means the players and coaches get scholarship. Clubs like Frank Five which has produced a long line of players in Pakistan Team deserve due attention. Many players from this club have been Pakistan team captain as well.

The Frank Five trains players for free while people are making money in other sports. This sets coaches Asif Iqbal Khan and Khurram Khan apart. They are keeping boys healthy, giving them skill and good culture. They must be appreciated. The government needs to step in.

In the United States, basketball players are paid at college level. Many people started playing basketball on seeing Michael Jordan. Boys wear his number ‘23’, shoes like his and a black strap on arm like he did.

Khalid Bashir, Pakistan Basketball Federation’s secretary 12 years ago is back on the scene. "He would arrange for three tours of basketball team in a year," says Asif. Since now he is back there is a ray of hope for the players again.

The wrestlers’ corner under the greenwood tree in the stadium is also remarkable. Young men in scanty clothes can be seen doing different exercises like moving their body with weight in both hands without moving their feet and push-ups etc. They then dig the soil with shovels to make it soft for wrestling.

At one end, sardai, a desi drink, is being prepared. They do it all themselves. When the ground is ready for wrestling, two men step into the arena they have prepared and wrestle. At one time four men can step into that space. They are disciplined. Nobody fights or shouts.

There is a strange exercise some of them do, like hopping while sitting, going round and round in circle. Its unimaginable for ordinary human beings -- its obvious it requires great stamina.

All these sportsmen are practising on self-help basis. Promotion of sports means promoting healthy habits and eventually healthy nation. The government needs to invest in these sportsmen and promote good culture at all its parks and stadiums.