Sports Festival Launched in Balochistan, Calls for Equal Investment
The launch of the sports festival and Yaqoob's call for equal investment in all sports highlight the need for a more nuanced approach to sports development in Pakistan, one that recognizes the potential of athletes across various disciplines and provides them with the support and resources they need to succeed on the international stage.
The Balochistan government has launched a sports festival to celebrate Pakistan Day on March 23, featuring various sports competitions across the province, including gymnastics, badminton, and basketball, while Pakistan Volleyball Federation Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Yaqoob has called for equal investment in all sports, not just cricket.
The sports festival, organized by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, aims to provide young people with opportunities to engage in sports and will conclude with a closing ceremony on March 23, 2025. Meanwhile, Yaqoob criticized the Rs 13 billion spent on cricket stadiums, saying it has yielded poor results despite the massive investment, and believes that if a fraction of this budget were allocated to other sports, athletes could excel at international events.
Yaqoob pointed out that the Indian government's engagement with corporate sponsors across multiple sports has led to significant progress, while Pakistani athletes struggle due to a lack of funding and sponsorship. He highlighted volleyball's success, with Pakistan regularly organizing national and provincial-level events, and urged policymakers and sponsors to support all sports equally, ensuring Pakistan's flag flies high at international events.
The Pakistan Volleyball Federation is hosting the National Volleyball Championship in Wah Cantt from April 4-10, featuring teams from various provinces and departments, and Yaqoob hopes that this event will bring attention to the need for equal investment in all sports, and not just cricket, to promote a more balanced and thriving sports culture in Pakistan.