Pakistan’s sports are going through a tough period these days. There are many controversies here and there and some positives as well. The government-POA rift is a big uncertainty and in near future something major is expected. Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) is not happy with the elections of the Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) which it conducted a few days ago at the Greens Hotel in Peshawar. The PSB had advised it to postpone it until the enactment of a new national sports policy but international obligations forced the PWF to go for elections as its tenure ended on September 4.Wrestler Omer Butt’s case was also a major reason behind the PSB’s insistence to ask PWF to stop the elections. As authorised by the court the DG PSB also conducted the hearing of the concerned parties in the Omer Butt’s medal-cancellation case on September 7. The PWF has clarified its stance on the matter.

The PSB seems to regulate the things but it should also take into consideration the international rules and regulations which federations have to follow. There was speculation that Army’s Col Sadaf was made the PWF vice-president although he did not know about this. It has been learnt that Army’s representative Mohammad Anwar proposed his name during the electoral meeting for the vice-presidency which was seconded by the others. The PSB did not send its observer to the PWF elections and it will be seen how things go between the Board and the federation.

Wrestling is a big sport and Pakistan has been doing well in this discipline in the international circuit. The Board should not unsettle this federation. This federation needs further support from all cordons as we have a broad talent base which can make Pakistan a mighty wrestling nation if we work on the available talent and prepare it professionally.

The PSB’s stance is that federations will conduct their elections under the new sports policy which the Board expects to be approved by the cabinet soon. Let’s see how it goes as it may invite revolt from federations.

If we start working on wrestling promotion from today and start investing in it we will be able to see some wrestlers in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The PWF is of the view that it has been following the PSB’s instructions and if a new sports policy is enacted and others follow it then the PWF will also follow it.

The PWF is regarded as a mighty federation as its players have been bringing medals. Just a few days ago the world beach wrestling king Mohammad Inam Butt romped to his fourth world title when he won gold in the Beach Wrestling World Series held in Rome, Italy. He won five fights on the trot to achieve the milestone. He already had won two World Beach Wrestling Championships crowns and a title of the World Beach Games.

On Friday (September 10) he was set to begin a title quest in the Beach Wrestling World Series in Greece. The credit here goes to the IPC minister Dr Fehmida Mirza who did a fine job to ensure both Inam and his teammate Zaman Anwar got Greece visas while in Rome. She involved Foreign Ministry, Pakistan’s embassy in Rome and Greece.

This is the sort of role which a state should keep performing for looking after its athletes. It’s commendable and when this article appears Inam will have won another title for Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Haider Ali became the first athlete of the country to have snared gold in Paralympics. He finished at the summit in the Tokyo Paralympics in discus throw. Having won silver in long jump in 2008 Beijing Paralympics and bronze in 2016 Rio Paralympic Games, Haider this time did a remarkable job to achieve the discus title. The 36-year-old Gujranwala athlete should be supported by both the state and corporate sector for his excellent performance as Tokyo Olympics heroes weightlifter Talha Talib and javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem were backed for finishing fifth places in their respective competitions in Tokyo.

While Talha has resumed his training in Gujranwala for next month’s Commonwealth Championship in Singapore, Arshad’s celebrations continue. These days he is in Karachi, meeting different people. He was given a gold medal here by Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology and Rs200,000 as cash award the other day.

Arshad has got rich. He must not become complacent. He should resume his preparations for next year’s major events which include the World Championship, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. The nation will expect a medal from him, not fifth position this time.

Another welcome development is the return of professional boxer Mohammad Waseem to training. He has reached Dubai and has started his training for the world title bout which he is expected to play in the UAE in November. This is after eight long months that Waseem has been seen in action while properly undergoing training.

The next few months are very crucial in Waseem’s career as a professional boxer. He wants to win the world title and after that he is expected to return to the amateur circuit as he wants to represent Pakistan in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

It would be a good step if he did so. He has the capability to do so and win medals for Pakistan in Paris as several professional boxers were seen recently in Tokyo claiming medals in the Olympics.

His return to amateur boxing will give relief to Pakistan’s boxing which needs a fighter like him. It was in 2004 Athens Olympics when Pakistani boxers last featured in the world’s most prestigious extravaganza.

On September 16, an important meeting of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) general council will be held in Lahore which will decide the things in the wake of the government’s demand that the NOC’s chief Lt Gen (retd) Arif Hasan resign. Let’s see how the general body of the POA reacts to this demand. The role of the state’s departments in the general council will be of immense importance and it will be interesting to see how they react.

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