Islamabad: That Pakistan, a country of over 180 million, did not win a single medal in the London Olympics was a sad reflection on the state of affairs in Pakistani sport, said a leading daily Monday.
An editorial in the Dawn said the curtains came down on the magnificent London Olympics Sunday with the US and China dominating the show, rather emphatically, followed by hosts Great Britain that finished third on the medals table.
“The Games, however, were a sad reflection on the state of affairs in Pakistani sport. For a country of over 180 million people to not be able to fetch a single medal in the Olympic Games is shambolic,” it said.
The Pakistani contingent comprised just 20 athletes, 16 of whom were hockey players. Reuters
“Even worse perhaps, it was expected.”
The daily said that the Pakistani contingent comprised just 20 athletes, 16 of whom were hockey players, and none could make the finals of their events.
“Following the dismal faring of the national contingent, there have been calls for replacing people at the helm of sports federations, for better planning and incentives for athletes and uplift of infrastructure,” it said.
“But so long as the will to excel and the determination to achieve something is lacking among the athletes and officials, nothing will really alter the dismal status quo,” the editorial added.
Pakistan’s neighbour India walked off with six medals, including two silvers.
IANS
