By IANS,
Karachi : Already facing its the worst slump, Pakistan sports is crying out for help because of a fund crunch.
The country’s sports authorities have decided to wind up several national-level training camps that were under progress in preparations for events like the South Asian Games in Dhaka, the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and the Asian Games in China after the government decided to cut off the supply of funds.
The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has warned of poor results at such events if funds are not released but there is little hope this will happen because the government is unhappy with Pakistan’s performance at international sporting events in recent times. Pakistan failed to even come close to winning a medal at this August’s Olympic Games in Beijing.
Even it’s hockey team – a three-time Olympic gold medallist – finished a disappointing eighth at the Games – Pakistan’s worst showing in Olympic history. Pakistan’s showing at the Asian Games in Doha and the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne was also below par.
The government is currently probing the existing slump in sports and is unwilling to release funds till the sports authorities find a way out of the prevailing crisis. But POA officials are warning that it would be too late by then.
“It’s very important that funds are released and training camps resume otherwise the sportspersons will be unable to give their best in the international events,” said POA Secretary Abdul Khaiq Khan.