The whole nation knows that Arshad Nadeem won a gold medal for Pakistan at the Paris Olympics 2024, but this victory is not just an ordinary one, as it has raised concerns among the citizens related to the future of athletics in Pakistan.
For decades, the people and the Pakistan Sports Board have supported cricket with no return. Now, some athletes are making Pakistan proud at the international level, with little to no support from anyone except their families. This win has indicated that the athletes in this country lack the resources that can be used for training and representing Pakistan. At the Paris Olympics 2024, just seven athletes were sent, which is a smaller number than the officials who accompanied them.
Amir Khan, a taekwondo player from Swat, secured a gold medal at the 7th Heroes Taekwondo Championship in Bangkok, and athletes from the Punjab University secured nine medals at the Asian rowing championships, including five golds this year.
The love, publicity, and rewards given to Arshad Nadeem were not given to these athletes by any of the citizens or government officials. The media needs to deliver such news to the public not just one day but every day. They should play news related to these and many other talented athletes who can make our country visible and proud at an international level.
As many resources as they require should be provided to them, just as they are given to cricketers. All sports should be valued equally in any country, regardless of gender. Any country’s success is a combined success, not an individual one.
Laiba Faisal, Lahore
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