Rana Sanaullah emphasizes on improving national sports and supporting athletes.
Prime Minister’s Advisor Rana Sanaullah officially inaugurated the National Junior Hockey Championship 2024 in a grand ceremony. During the event, he addressed the media, emphasizing the government’s commitment to uplifting sports in the country and ensuring proper support for athletes and federations.
Rana Sanaullah underscored that it is the government’s responsibility to provide necessary facilities to the sports federations and athletes. He assured that any existing flaws in the system would be rectified. Furthermore, officials involved in politics within sports organizations will face dismissal, as per the government’s firm stance on maintaining transparency.
FIFA Ban Due to Third-Party Interference
Highlighting previous challenges, Rana Sanaullah acknowledged the ongoing struggles within the Pakistan Football Federation. Between 2017 and 2021, Pakistan’s football faced two separate bans from FIFA due to third-party interference. In 2021, a significant vote was held by FIFA member associations, where 203 out of 209 members voted in favor of imposing the ban on Pakistan. Rana Sanaullah admitted that internal mismanagement played a role in this situation but expressed optimism for future reforms in the sports sector.
The Rise and Fall of Pakistan Hockey
From 1960 to 1994, Pakistan hockey reached incredible heights, winning three Olympic gold medals and four World Cups the most by any hockey team. The 1978 World Cup victory in Argentina was particularly memorable, as the late coach Abdul Waheed Khan’s innovative tactics inspired not only his players but also Argentina’s football coach, Cesar Luis Menotti. Following his team’s World Cup win later that year,
Menotti sent a telegram to Khan, thanking him for the strategies that contributed to their success. This rich legacy, however, starkly contrasts with the recent decline of Pakistan hockey, which failed to qualify for the World Cup in both 2014 and 2023. Since the last Olympic gold in 1994, the national team has not secured a World Cup title, leaving fans disheartened.
Stance of Rana Sanaullah
The advisor revealed the government’s intention to introduce a clear and comprehensive policy aimed at nurturing the country’s top athletes. He promised that any outstanding dues owed to the Pakistan Hockey Federation would be addressed without delay.
Rana Sanaullah reminded the audience that hockey, being Pakistan’s national sport, has earned the nation numerous accolades on the international stage. However, the sport has seen fewer celebratory moments in recent years. The government, under the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is actively working to revive hockey and bring back its former glory.
In an effort to promote the sports across various sectors, all government departments will be required to form their own sports teams. Moreover, a high-performance center dedicated to training and supporting athletes will soon be established in the Islamabad.
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Key Points:
- Rana Sanaullah inaugurated the National Junior Hockey Championship 2024.
- The government pledges to support federations and athletes.
- Any shortcomings in the system will be corrected.
- The Officials involved in sports politics will be dismissed.
Fifa ban:
- Pakistan Football Federation faced bans from FIFA twice between 2017 and 2021 due to third-party interference.
- In 2021, 203 out of the 209 FIFA members voted for the ban on Pakistan.
- A clear policy for elite athletes will be introduced.
- Dues of the Pakistan Hockey Federation will be settled.
- Hockey, as the national sport, has earned Pakistan international honors.
- The government aims to revive the hockey and improve its standing.
- A high-performance center will be set up in the Islamabad.
This initiative represents a focused effort by the government to foster a brighter future for national sports, ensuring that athletes receive the resources and support they deserve.
