Sports icons call for grassroots investment and merit-based system

Legends of Sports World Sunday emphasized the urgent need for systemic reforms, grassroots development, and gender equity to revive Pakistan’s standing in global sports.

They expressed their views on the pressing issues hindering the growth of sports in Pakistan during the “17th International Urdu Conference” held in Karachi.

Former cricket captain Rashid Latif highlighted the misallocation of resources in cricket, criticizing the focus on constructing stadiums rather than nurturing young talent. 

“Billions are being spent on building stadiums, but this money should be directed towards grassroots development,” he remarked. 

He also paid tribute to cricket legend Mushtaq Mohammad, calling him Pakistan’s greatest captain who excelled both as a leader and mentor.

Latif underscored the neglect of women’s cricket, pointing out the lack of dedicated facilities for female players. 

“It’s a tragedy that Pakistan does not have a single cricket stadium for women,” he lamented. He also advised Pakistan to reconsider hosting the Champions Trophy, stating, “Before the ICC intervenes, we should voluntarily decline. 

The ICC and BCCI are aligned in ways that disadvantage Pakistan.”

Hockey legend Islahuddin Siddiqui shed light on the decline of hockey in Pakistan, attributing it to nepotism and favoritism in team selection. “The recommendation culture is so entrenched that it’s hard to resist.

However, if we focus on merit-based selection, our team can be back on the winning track within four years,” he asserted.

Sharing his efforts to nurture young talent, Islahuddin spoke about his North Nazimabad Hockey Academy, where 250 children are trained free of cost. He urged other sports veterans to play their part in developing future athletes as a way of giving back to the nation.

Former women’s cricket team captain Javeria Khan, representing women’s cricket, shared her journey, saying, "Coming from Kala Dhaka, where the lifestyle is vastly different, taught me resilience. Sports have a way of breaking down ego and instilling discipline."

She revealed her aspirations to transition into coaching, aiming to nurture the next generation of players.

The conference underscored the critical need for structural changes in Pakistan’s sports ecosystem.