Sports
Pakistan
"Victory is not the property of brilliants.
It is the crown for those who bow themselves in front of hard work & confidence."
History
In a meeting with the Organizing Committee of the First Pakistan Olympic Games held at Karachi the Quaid-i-Azam said to the first President of Pakistan Olympic Association Mr. Ahmed E.H. Jaffar: "Dedicate yourself to sports promotion, for when you and I are gone, leadership will go into the hands of Youth, and Youth is our wealth, a raw material, that must be hammered into shape, into burnished steel to strive and smite in defense - the defense of the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan - the defense of the ideology of Pakistan."
The first National Games were held at Polo Ground, Karachi from 23 to 25 April, 1948. Sportsmen and officials from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and all the integrated Provincial units of West Pakistan took part in these Games. The total number of athletes was 140. No competitors were, however, invited from any foreign country. Competitions were held in track and field athletics, basketball, boxing, cycling, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling.
Over the years, Pakistan has been held back due to the lack of funds placed in sports. Many facilities are of substandard; this has seen Pakistan fall behind other nations. In the early years, the young state would be able to compete, with much success, but during the late 70's with the government not investing in sports, the country no longer could compete.
However, since the late 90's, this trend has changed. Money is now being placed into sports, and many of the federations are now managed by people who are trying to push Pakistani sportsmen and women forward. International tournaments are now hosted in the country, and the nation now sends sportsmen and women to compete abroad. There have also been restructuring of national tournaments, and new facilities and equipment being provided. This has seen overall results improve
H o c k e y
C r i c k e t
Cricket
Cricket has a huge following and based on attendance figures at games, is the most popular sport in the country. Pakistan has produced many multi-talented players who have been among the best batsmen and bowlers in the world. Almost all districts and neighborhoods in Pakistan have a cricket team and people start playing from a young age. Pakistan has won a lot of international cricket events, including the 1992 Cricket World Cup and the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 2009 World Twenty20 [Rashid Hussain], besides finishing as runners up in 1999 World Cup and 2007 World Twenty20. Pakistan's cricket teams take part in domestic competitions such as the ABN-AMRO Cup, the ABN-AMRO Patron's Trophy, ABN-AMRO Twenty-20 Cup, and the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy. International test and one-day matches are played between the Pakistan national team and foreign opponents regularly. The Pakistan Cricket Board controls both the men’s and women’s game. Women’s cricket is also very popular, with Kiran Baluch holding the current record of the highest score in a women's test match with her 242. Notable cricketers from Pakistan include Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad and Imran Khan. Imran khan was the best player in the history of cricket.
Some other sports are
Roller Skating, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Bridge, Chess, Canoe and Kayaking, Caving, Cyling, Gymnastics, Golf, Handball, Ice Hockey, Karate, Motor Sports, Rowing, Rugby Union, Shooting, Skiing, Taekwondo.Volleyball, Weighlifting, Wrestling, Yachting and Sailing, Gulli Danda etc..
Cricket has a huge following and based on attendance figures at games, is the most popular sport in the country. Pakistan has produced many multi-talented players who have been among the best batsmen and bowlers in the world. Almost all districts and neighborhoods in Pakistan have a cricket team and people start playing from a young age. Pakistan has won a lot of international cricket events, including the 1992 Cricket World Cup and the 2009 ICC World Twenty20 2009 World Twenty20 [Rashid Hussain], besides finishing as runners up in 1999 World Cup and 2007 World Twenty20. Pakistan's cricket teams take part in domestic competitions such as the ABN-AMRO Cup, the ABN-AMRO Patron's Trophy, ABN-AMRO Twenty-20 Cup, and the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy. International test and one-day matches are played between the Pakistan national team and foreign opponents regularly. The Pakistan Cricket Board controls both the men’s and women’s game. Women’s cricket is also very popular, with Kiran Baluch holding the current record of the highest score in a women's test match with her 242. Notable cricketers from Pakistan include Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad and Imran Khan. Imran khan was the best player in the history of cricket.
Some other sports are
Roller Skating, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Bridge, Chess, Canoe and Kayaking, Caving, Cyling, Gymnastics, Golf, Handball, Ice Hockey, Karate, Motor Sports, Rowing, Rugby Union, Shooting, Skiing, Taekwondo.Volleyball, Weighlifting, Wrestling, Yachting and Sailing, Gulli Danda etc..
Hockey
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is the national governing body of field hockey in Pakistan. The Pakistan Hockey Federation Women Wing (PHFWW) is the official organization of women's field hockey in Pakistan. The Pakistan men's team has won three Gold Medals at the Olympics and lifted the Hockey . It has also won the most number of Asian gold medals and is the only Asian team to have won the prestigious Champions Trophy with three titles. It has been consistently ranked amongst the top teams in the world. Notable players include Sohail Abbas, Mohammed Saqlain and Waseem Ahmad.
S n o o k e r
S q u a s h
Squash
Squash is another sport that has a large following in Pakistan, with Pakistan dominating the sport for a period of time. Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan are considered legends of the sport and have won several World Squash Championships and other tournaments. Pakistani players have won the squash World Open 17 times, and British open 12 times, the highest by any nation. Carla Khan, one of Pakistan's most successful sportswomen, is one of a number of men and women who represent Pakistan. The Pakistan Squash Federation is the governing body of the sport in the country. The Pakistan Open tournament is one of the premier events of the sport in the country. Every province of the country holds its own men's and women's championships. Some other notable players from Pakistan include Hashim Khan, Torsam Khan and Qamar Zaman.
Squash is another sport that has a large following in Pakistan, with Pakistan dominating the sport for a period of time. Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan are considered legends of the sport and have won several World Squash Championships and other tournaments. Pakistani players have won the squash World Open 17 times, and British open 12 times, the highest by any nation. Carla Khan, one of Pakistan's most successful sportswomen, is one of a number of men and women who represent Pakistan. The Pakistan Squash Federation is the governing body of the sport in the country. The Pakistan Open tournament is one of the premier events of the sport in the country. Every province of the country holds its own men's and women's championships. Some other notable players from Pakistan include Hashim Khan, Torsam Khan and Qamar Zaman.
Billiards & Snooker
Snooker is one the rising sports in Pakistan., and is has been taken up by many people. There has been success at International level: Mohammed Yousuf who was the 1994 IBSF World Snooker Champion and the 2006 IBSF World Masters Champion; and Shokat Ali the Pakistan number 1 and Asian Games Gold medalist, to name a few. The Pakistan Billiards Snooker Association (PBSA) was formed in 1958, and is the organization that runs the game in the nation.
Mohammad Yousuf's Achievements2006 IBSF World Masters Champion
2002 Asian Games Snooker, Singles Division – quarter-final
2000 IBSF World Championship – quarter-final
1998 IBSF World Amateur Championship – last 32
1998 ACBS Asian Championship
1996 IBSF World Amateur Championship – last 16
1995 IBSF World Amateur Championship – last 16
1994 IBSF World Amateur Championship
Snooker is one the rising sports in Pakistan., and is has been taken up by many people. There has been success at International level: Mohammed Yousuf who was the 1994 IBSF World Snooker Champion and the 2006 IBSF World Masters Champion; and Shokat Ali the Pakistan number 1 and Asian Games Gold medalist, to name a few. The Pakistan Billiards Snooker Association (PBSA) was formed in 1958, and is the organization that runs the game in the nation.
Mohammad Yousuf's Achievements2006 IBSF World Masters Champion
2002 Asian Games Snooker, Singles Division – quarter-final
2000 IBSF World Championship – quarter-final
1998 IBSF World Amateur Championship – last 32
1998 ACBS Asian Championship
1996 IBSF World Amateur Championship – last 16
1995 IBSF World Amateur Championship – last 16
1994 IBSF World Amateur Championship
P o l o
T e n n i s
Polo
Polo, a traditional sport played very widely Polo, is one of the national sports, which is believed to have originated in Central Asia, and continues to be an important sport there with several large annual competitions. Pakistan, the only country in the world, with the highest Polo Ground at Shandur, Chitral. The Shandur Polo Tournament, played at the world's highest polo ground every June, is one of the biggest tourist draws to Chitral and Gilgit in Northern Pakistan. The Shandur Pass was picked as the location because, at 11,000ft above sea level, it was seen as a ridge between heaven and hell. Key tournaments of the season are the Uprising Day tournament in early November in Gilgit, or the Pakistan Independence Day tournament in Skardu, early August. The Pakistan Polo Association (PPA) organize the sport, and the national side takes part in the Polo World Cup. Polo is played professionally with a number of Argentine players playing in Pakistan. Notable players include Murad Ismail, Raja Sami Ullah, and Hissam Ali Haider.
Polo, a traditional sport played very widely Polo, is one of the national sports, which is believed to have originated in Central Asia, and continues to be an important sport there with several large annual competitions. Pakistan, the only country in the world, with the highest Polo Ground at Shandur, Chitral. The Shandur Polo Tournament, played at the world's highest polo ground every June, is one of the biggest tourist draws to Chitral and Gilgit in Northern Pakistan. The Shandur Pass was picked as the location because, at 11,000ft above sea level, it was seen as a ridge between heaven and hell. Key tournaments of the season are the Uprising Day tournament in early November in Gilgit, or the Pakistan Independence Day tournament in Skardu, early August. The Pakistan Polo Association (PPA) organize the sport, and the national side takes part in the Polo World Cup. Polo is played professionally with a number of Argentine players playing in Pakistan. Notable players include Murad Ismail, Raja Sami Ullah, and Hissam Ali Haider.
Tennis
Tennis is a very popular sport and Pakistanis compete in various international events. The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) organise the game in the country. Khawaja Saeed Hai was the first Pakistani to reach a Grand Slam tournament, playing at Wimbledon, the US Open, and the French Open where he made it to the third round. Haroon Rahim was a very successful player, he was the winner of a number of ATP Singles and Doubles titles. Lately, Aisam-ul-Haq created history in Pakistani tennis, as he reached the finals of 2010 US Open – Men's Doubles and 2010 US Open – Mixed Doubles.
The Pakistan Davis Cup team have previously reached the world group play-offs, with the help of Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, currently Pakistan's number one, and Aqeel Khan, the number two. Tennis events are very rare in Pakistan and there is hardly an international tennis event, apart from ATP tournaments.
The Pakistan Davis Cup team have previously reached the world group play-offs, with the help of Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, currently Pakistan's number one, and Aqeel Khan, the number two. Tennis events are very rare in Pakistan and there is hardly an international tennis event, apart from ATP tournaments.
Football
Football has also enjoyed a powerful growth as a spectator sport, and is slowly catching up to cricket in the TV ratings (2008 statistics). The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is the governing body in Pakistan. Football is played mostly on the local level, primarily in Balochistan and Swat Valley. These areas provide most of the players on the Pakistani national football team. The Pakistan Football Federation Women Organizing Committee (PFFWOC) is responsible for women's football in Pakistan. In 2004, the Pakistan Premier League was established and is the first division of Pakistani football. The Pakistan National Football Challenge Cup is the national "knockout" cup competition in Pakistani football, run by the Pakistan Football Federation. The Pakistan National Women’s Football Championship is the annual women's championship. Notable players include Muhammad Essa, Zeshan Rehman, and Haroon Yousaf.
Some other sports are
Roller Skating, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Bridge, Chess, Canoe and Kayaking, Caving, Cyling, Gymnastics, Golf, Handball, Ice Hockey, Karate, Motor Sports, Rowing, Rugby Union, Shooting, Skiing, Taekwondo.Volleyball, Weighlifting, Wrestling, Yachting and Sailing, Gulli Danda etc..
Some other sports are
Roller Skating, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Bridge, Chess, Canoe and Kayaking, Caving, Cyling, Gymnastics, Golf, Handball, Ice Hockey, Karate, Motor Sports, Rowing, Rugby Union, Shooting, Skiing, Taekwondo.Volleyball, Weighlifting, Wrestling, Yachting and Sailing, Gulli Danda etc..
