Despite a shift in government, the improvements in Pakistan sports remain non-existent. Lack of funds and interest from respective authorities are putting the bright futures of many athletes at risk.
Inam Butt, Commonwealth gold medalist, is the latest to experience the pain caused due to Pakistan Sports Board’s (PSB) ignorance.
Inam was supposed to represent Pakistan in the on-going Asian Wrestling Championship. However, due to lack of funds and support from the government, he missed out on the tournament.
His first match was against India’s Vicky Vijay, who got a walkover as Inam could not participate in the tournament.
The Pakistani was among the favorites to win the medal but not being able to participate has left him heartbroken.
Pakistan wrestler 🇵🇰 Inam Butt lost vs India 🇮🇳 without fight in Asian Championship,
PSB didn’t issue funds for the event, it was a qualifying event too for World & olympics
انعام بٹ بھی فنڈز نہ ملنے کی وجہ سے بغیر لڑے ہی بھارت سے ہار گیا pic.twitter.com/pFsGI7yiU4
— Shoaib Jatt (@Shoaib_Jatt) April 24, 2019
Talking to media, Inam expressed his concerns in an emotional manner.
It is very heartbreaking and disappointing to lose an opportunity like this. I was confident to win the medal but it’s very unfortunate that due to lack of funds, I just couldn’t make it.
We didn’t get any funds, there were no funds for training camps but we got training in our local akhaaras and then we didn’t get funds for traveling.
Inam further mentioned that failing to participate in Asian Wrestling Championship means that he can no longer participate in World Championship either, which makes the situation even worse.
This was also a qualifying round for World Championship as according to rules it was mandatory for players to participate in the continental championship to become eligible for the world championship.
It is worth mentioning here that Inam is Pakistani most successful athlete as he was the country’s only gold medalist in Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Inam was also conferred with pride of performance award by the government of Pakistan earlier this year. In addition to this, Inam is also the reigning champion of beach wrestling, a title he has to defend this year.
He further added:
I have to play beach games this year and I appeal to the government of Pakistan to make sure that I don’t miss the event. Awards won’t help me get training or participate in events, what’s the use of an award when you are unable to continue playing for the country.
Insha Allah Bad Main Halat Behtar Honge to Hum Jeet Jayenge
matlab faltu zaroor bolna hai..
Iski to log ghar pe bhi naheen suntay, isi liye bachpan se aisa hai
Abdul Wahab ko kuch mt bolna …. !!!
Nice try, Abdul Wahab, but it is so clear how much the entire public hates the thought of you.
Keep making a fool of yourself. How typical, hah!
Come on PTI, build the infrastructure