ISLAMABAD: Senators expressed their displeasure over the growing politics in sports, saying that the football has become victim to infighting which is bringing bad name to the country. The Special Senate Committee, which has been formed recently to look into sports federations’ performances, observed that the politics and inefficiency have ruled federations’ working in recent times. “Look at the game of hockey. We were the Olympic and world champions and now we are fast becoming minnows of the game. Pakistan have now started losing even against the weakest teams,” Senator Shible Faraz said. The Senators observed that no efforts had been made to introduce sports culture in the country and that turned out to be the reason of Pakistan downfall.Special concerns were shown on the pathetic plight of football. Football Administrator Justice (r) Asad Munir — who has recently been appointed by the court to look after the country till the viable solution — expressed his dismay over politics in the game. “Faisal Saleh Hayat and Zahir Shah are two factions fighting to get powers. “This sort of approach has ruined the game at national and international level,” Justice (r) Munir said. He briefed the Senators on Pakistan’s recent suspension. “FIFA was concerned over the growing political involvement in football in Pakistan. FIFA does not believe in government or political involvement in sports.” Justice (r) Munir said that when two Pakistan teams turned up for international event in Kuwait recently the matter become worse. “That turned out to be decisive blow to Pakistan football.” IPC Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Peerzada said the government never interfered in football matters. “There is a mafia working within FIFA which always try to run the affairs according to their wishes.” The minister said there were numerous problems in sports development in the country. “We even were not allowed to hold Quaid-i-Azam Games last year. Without our consent a sports advisor was appointed last year who hardly comes to Pakistan. When we complain and speak against these measures, they blame us for working against the government. I am fed up of this whole interference.” Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Director Operation Haroon Rashid briefed the committee on cricket development, saying that the international cricket would fully return to Pakistan in three to four years time. “It is the PCB that caters the need of players from grassroots to top level. It is not an association but the PCB organises even club cricket.” Haroon said that PCB annually deposit Rs250 million taxes and has never taken a single penny from the government.” He said that the PCB was making all efforts to discourage spot-fixing. “Those players who come from humble background usually get involved in this menace.”Haroon said that though the PCB was facing hurdles in developing women cricket, efforts had been made in recent past to broaden the pool. “We have a pool of around 40 women players which is growing by each passing day.” He said the board was considering initiating changes according to the roadmap given by the likes of Majid Khan and Imran Khan. “Regions and departments are afraid of losing their hold on the running cricket in their respective jurisdiction.”
