Focus on cricket hurting other sports: Yaqoob

LAHORE: Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob, Chairman Pakistan Volleyball Federation, has criticised the disproportionate focus and funding allocated to cricket in Pakistan, arguing that it comes at the expense of other sports.

“Despite spending 13 billion rupees on improving cricket stadiums, the national team exits the Champions Trophy on the very first day with a dismal performance,” Yaqoob stated in a message shared with The News.

He emphasised that investing a fraction of that amount in the country’s 30-plus other sports, coupled with infrastructure development, could have enabled Pakistani athletes to win numerous medals at the Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and global events.

Yaqoob lamented the fact that government attention and sponsorship are overwhelmingly directed towards cricket. “Cricketers receive millions of rupees even after losing, which demoralises athletes from other sports. This is an injustice to talented players in Pakistan,” he asserted.

He called for a more equitable distribution of sponsorship, urging the government to mandate that sponsors support a variety of sports, not just cricket. Drawing a comparison with neighboring India, Yaqoob highlighted the Indian government’s strategy of linking major corporations with various sports and allocating substantial budgets. He argued that this approach has propelled India far ahead of Pakistan in sports.

Speaking specifically about volleyball, Yaqoob noted that it boasts the highest number of events among all sports in Pakistan, often funded by the federation itself. He stressed the importance of attracting more sponsors to increase player earnings and enhance their performance on the international stage.

Yaqoob acknowledged that while earning money is a player’s right, many federations lack the funds to organise national-level events. Clarifying his stance, Yaqoob stated that he is not against cricket but expressed disappointment over the team’s consistent failures despite massive investments. He contrasted this with volleyball’s track record of success at South Asian, Central Asian, Asian, and global levels.