| Are We Headed To the Burial?
Unless we join hands, change our priorities and undertake a pragmatic approach, the future of sports and athletes in the region will continue to stagnate. Commentary by Sushil Thapa.
Politically speaking, the South Asian Federation Games was conceived with a noble objective to further enhance and consolidate relationship between nations in South Asia divided by, among others, narrow political interests. Considering the volatility of the region it was imperative that something be done to bring the countries together under one roof. Understandably, sports was embraced to achieve the goal.
The aim include prioritizing sports, developing sports infrastructures, motivating and providing athletes a permanent platform to showcase their latent skills in order to spur sporting activities and raise the level of sports in the region to international standards. Ironically, to this day we continue to grope in the dark in search of the elusive objectives. Given the fickle situation in the region the future of South Asian Federation Games(SAFG) hangs in the balance.
Leave alone attaining the goals, we find ourselves battling to rescue the games from obliteration. Adding fuel to the fire, regional problems have compounded to dizzy heights and our sports standards have dipped dramatically. Our challenge has become bigger and tougher.
Whether one agrees or not, it has been a sheer waste of time, money and resources so far. Despite completion of eight editions the mega sporting spectacle in the region, we have failed to build respect, provide meaning and garner support for the game. Clearly, there is an absence of seriousness amongst participating countries to value the games and make it more lively, meaningful and productive.
Sports critics have voiced their disappointment over the credibility of the games and called for its burial. Assessing and revaluating the extravaganza from the1st to the 8th edition makes us eat their words. More importantly, we cannot shy away from the bitter facts.
When the SAF does not serve its purpose why organize and unnecessarily burden the hosts logistically, financially. At a time when the region is passing through one of the worst recessions in history, a mega sporting event of huge magnitude, South Asian Federation Games (SAFG), which requires a significant chunk of any member country’s national treasury, makes little sense.
But I would not like to be so overtly pessimistic. The significance of sports cannot be overlooked regardless of the present circumstances. Now that sports is the most important unit in the social fabric, it will be a blunder to ignore its development and promotion. No matter how ineffective the spectacle has been, something needs be done in order to circumvent the shortcomings. What is this “something” is everyone’s guess. Leave sports to itself, and do not meddle with politics and inter-state rivalries. Sports is one of the few effective means to develop a culture of tolerance in a region marred by tides of hostilities, and bloodshed. Nip it, and then you narrow drastically the few outlets and possibilities for understanding, and cooperation.
The journey from the inaugural to the 9th SAFG has been riddled with uncertainty and frequent postponements. There were times when it looked as though the games would be put off permanently. Thanks largely to good wisdom that continues to prevail; that did not happen. Despite scheduling the games for every two years we have had several rescheduling for different reasons much to our chagrin and disappointment.
Pakistan was supposed to host the 9th edition from 6 to 15 October 2001. It has been postponed twice already. Though the new date has been announced (23 March, 2003), another postponement cannot be ruled out. There is little explanation as to why we fail to stick to schedules no matter what, like in other regional meets in Asia.
Probably we do not view or take the games seriously or deem it necessary to do so. Given that we are nowhere in international sports in terms of performances and results, the sheer lack of commitment should be a matter of embarrassment.
The poor sports infrastructure and physical facilities in the region should not deter from practicing our common socialization. Things improve only if we continue to keep our spirits alive. Unless we join hands, change our priorities and undertake a pragmatic approach, the future of sports and athletes in the region will continue to stagnate.
Sushil Thapa, a sports writer, currently resides in the U.S..