By Ahmed Qazi
Sports are significant for a nation. Competitive sports at national & international levels bring inspiration, pride & hope for the nation. Sports signifies health, growth , temperament & ethics.
Sports culture is a term that can refer to different aspects of how sports influence and are influenced by society. It can describe the values and beliefs that are shared by people who participate in or follow sports, the use of sports metaphors and experiences in organizational settings, the role of sports in shaping the economy, media, fashion, and identity of people and communities, the contrast between sports and other forms of culture, such as intellectual or artistic pursuits, and the relationship between sports and other types of human activities, such as play, games, and contests.
Sports culture is important for a country because it can bring people together and give them a sense of identity. It can also provide a unique insight for other people into the values held by sports-playing communities. Certain sports are closely linked to particular communities and reflect the characteristics and traditions of people included. Sharing similarities with others by playing the same sport is an example of having a culture. However, most importantly sport breaks down barriers between people of different cultures. Sport allows people to define themselves in a non-confrontational environment.
Pakistan is a sports-loving nation, which once prided itself on producing extraordinary athletes, mostly in the game of hockey and squash. The country’s hockey team, which won various Olympic medals in the 1980s and 1990s, has not performed well for quite some time. Equally disappointing is the state of squash in Pakistan. Once a hugely successful sport in the South Asian country, which produced legendary players like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan, there is not a single player now who can reach the same heights.
The decline of sports in Pakistan can be attributed to:
1.
Lack of funding and institutional support from the government
2.
Failure to improve the existing infrastructure
3.
Corruption which has drowned the sporting industry and destroyed many talented players
4.
Politics: whenever politics enter sports, it destroys it
5.
Rise of vested interest elements who are there for personal gains rather than serving the sports
6.
Lack of proper jobs for sports persons
7.
Little or no professionalism among coaches and officials
8.
A shrinking role of schools and colleges in promoting sports
9.
Problems gaining parental permission for female students to participate in sports
10.
Religious and cultural limitations that restrict women’s involvement in sports
To develop the sports culture in Pakistan, following steps are essential:
1.
Increasing the budget allocation for sports development and ensuring transparency and accountability in its utilization
2.
Upgrading the existing facilities and providing more opportunities for training and exposure for athletes
3.
Eradicating corruption and nepotism from sports bodies and ensuring merit-based selection and promotion of players and officials
4.
Keeping politics out of sports and respecting the autonomy and integrity of sports federations
5.
Encouraging more participation from private sector and civil society in supporting and sponsoring sports events and activities
6.
Providing incentives and recognition for sports persons such as jobs, scholarships, awards, etc.
7.
Enhancing the professionalism and competence of coaches and officials through training and certification programs
8.
Reviving the role of schools and colleges in nurturing young talent and organizing inter-school and inter-college competitions
9.
Educating parents about the benefits of physical activities for their children’s health and well-being
10.
Challenging the religious and cultural stereotypes that prevent women from taking part in sports.
Lastly, it’s essential to develop a sports culture in Pakistan. It’s now an entertainment industry & which could bring investment, jobs & profits. It’s also significant to build national & international image essential for sports tourism & common tourism. It’s also significant that Pakistan develop it’s sports culture & industry in order to keep youth busy in healthy activists & also ensure developing an industry vital for business & image building.
