Pakistan’s prolific wrestler Mohammad Inam added another feather to his illustrious cap when he defended his world title, defeating Irakli Mtsituri of Georgia 3-1 in the 90 kilogramme final of the Beach Wrestling World Championships in Turkey last Sunday.

The feat enabled the Gujranwala grappler to make it to the 2019 World Beach Games to be held in San Diego, California. Inam had defeated wrestlers from Norway and Portugal on the trot to make it to the round of 16.

He then outclassed a grappler from Romania 5-0 in the round of 16 before whacking a fighter from Ukraine in the quarter-finals 3-0. In the semi-finals he beat a wrestler from Greece 3-0 before overcoming the Georgian in the final to complete his brilliant journey.

The two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist won his first world beach title, beating a grappler from Iran 2-1, also in Turkey, last year.

Irakli is not an ordinary grappler. He is World No5 and also an Olympian. This was really a great effort from Inam, whose father accompanied him on the tour as a coach.

When Inam went to Turkey last year, nobody knew him well but this time he was the centre of attraction for the whole audience. Local press wrote several articles about him. But unfortunately when he landed in Islamabad there was no one from the government to welcome.

Last year he and Inayatullah won titles in the World Beach Wrestling Championships. The government should have sponsored a proper camp this time for Inam but it was not done. The world beater, who won his second gold in the Commonwealth Games early this year in Australia, had to spend a lot of money from his own pocket to prepare for the Turkey event.

Having nothing in its kitty, Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) managed all the paper work, including getting visa, for the wrestler and provided an arena in Gujranwala to the fighter. But the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) did not even issue a press release of congratulations, which showed what our officials think of sportspeople. If the Board cannot sponsor an athlete it should at least appreciate his achievement.

The new federal minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fehmida Mirza should take notice of the situation.  There are numerous challenges before her. Her ministry will have to work for the development of athletes.

Wrestler Mohammad Asad Butt (80kg) was also expected to feature in the event but he could not proceed due to visa issue.

Inayat, who won gold in the last year’s Beach World Wrestling Championships in Turkey, could not feature in this month’s edition in Turkey because of his engagement in the Youth Olympics being held these days in Argentina. Inayat is expected to win medal in Youth Olympics.

After claiming medals for Pakistan at every level, Inam now should play and get a medal in Olympics.

But without government support he can do nothing. It’s time for the government to support Inam and not only ensure his participation in Olympic qualifiers but also to provide him a foreign coach and extensive foreign training.

A few years ago the government backed Japan-based judoka Shah Hussain generously and he made a cut for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Inam can also do so if he is supported fully.

Ask Inam and he will tell you about his future ambitions. "I have won medals for Pakistan at almost every event. It’s my dream to not only qualify for Olympics but also win a medal there. But neither me nor you can do this. Only the government can," Inam told ‘The News on Sunday’ (TNS) after returning from Turkey the other day.

"I spent Rs700,000 on World Beach Wrestling Championships. I am a two-time world champion. It does not suit me to go after people and request them to support me. If I have achieved such a milestone so now it’s the responsibility of the state to back me properly and get the best out of me," Inam said.

"If the state backs me properly, manages for me 15 to 20 tours during the next two years, ensure maximum participation in international events, gets a foreign coach for me then I am confident I will be able not only to make it to the Olympics but to also win the gold medal. I beat an Olympian wrestler in the final, which showed that we have the potential but we need support. I have done what I could do on my own. It’s up to the government to support me so that I could win an Olympic medal for the country," Inam said.

He said that he had boosted the image of Pakistan. "Last year when we were in Turkey, nobody wanted to stay with us in the room. They thought us terrorists. But this time it was a different story. When I defended my world title, people from Norway and Sweden were also seen holding Pakistan flag. I have boosted the soft image of the country. I am doing what I can do for the nation but how long can I do this without support! It frustrates you when there is no outcome of your efforts," Inam said.

It’s time the government supported this accomplished wrestler. He is in great form and can bring more laurels for the country.