'circa' 776 B.C., GREECE : The Olympic Games, were held on the templed plains of Olympia, near Pisa in Elis, where the Alpheus flows to the western coast of the Peloponnesus. These games seem to be the oldest of all. These were the most important as a festival, at once, social, political and religious, held at intervals of four years.
The ancient ceremonies lasted for a month, beginning with the first full moon of the summer solistice. Both, place and period were held as sacred, no armed force being suffered to approach.
However, once, in 364 B.C, a quarrel erupted for the presidency of the meeting between Pisa and Elis turning the games into a battle.
In the athletic contests which filled the first half of the month, all freeborn Hellenes might compete (those who spoke Greek). 'Pot-hunting' and 'Gate-money' did not corrupt the sport of early days, though something like 'professionalism' seems to have developed. The prize was a simple crown of wild olive; but the winner deemed himself rich in the general applause and in that of his fellow citizens, who hailed his victory as a triumph for their native state, where henceforth he lived in honour and privilege; while his fame might be embalmed in a statue.
The first and chief contest would be the foot-race, followed by wrestling, boxing, hurling the spear and discus, horse races, chariot races, and other disciplines, altered/modified at different times. Rich men and magnates of outlying colonies, trained horses for races, where their success gave the owner such pride as comes from the ownership of a Derby winner.
The second half of the month was taken up with processions, sacrifices and other religious ceremonies culminating with a banquet for the successful competitors. The huge concourse attracted on such an occasion lent itself, likewise, to commercial dealings too. Works of art, also, were exhibited while such sanctuaries as Olympia and Delphi became permanent museums of national art and history.
Enough of the origins and history of the Olympiad. Lets surmise what we, as Pakistanis are doing in this regard. To produce champions, you need strong associations, federations and Boards, completely autonomous and without any interference from any quarters. Of course, with adequate funding by the government but in these days of corporate sponsorships, raising of funds has become a bit easier.
Let's come to the performance of our own athletes and teams. The 60's, 70's and the early 80's were a golden era for our hockey team. They won almost every title there was to be won. Heroes, all of them!! My salutations. Air Marshal Nur Khan, Chairman of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, was the driving force and his vision, coupled with his dedication and humane attitude to look after these players, took the game to the highest level even after the Air Marshal retired as he had set precedents and examples.
Asghar Valika, President of the Pakistan Billiards Association, plucked an unknown, Amir Bux, who was working as a marker in a private club, hardly making enough money to feed and clothe his family, nurtured him, took him under his patronage and what happened? Amir Bux, won countless championships all over the world bringing laurels for Pakistan.
Look at Byram and Goshpi Avari. At their own expense, they ferried themselves and their sailboat (the technical name I miss) and won a gold medal for Pakistan at the world asian championships. I wonder where was the Pakistan Sailing Federation?
Legends of squash, the Khan family ruled the world for umpteen years. Followed by another Khan, Jansher. Pakistan Squash Federation supported them to the best of their abilities.
The Pakistan Boxing Federation picked up an unknown from the Lyari Area of Karachi and he got us a silver. In tennis, great names like Khwaja Iftikhar, said Hai, Munir Pirzada, Haroon Rahim, Saeed Meer and more recently, Aisam-ul-Haq stand out. If I have missed some names here, my sincere apologies. The Pakistan Tennis Federation backed them, I hope, my knowledge being rather limited on this score. In the women's swimming, two private clubs of Karachi have been in the forefront winning laurels at the Islamic Games held in Tehran, Do we have a swimming association? I believe we have a Pakistan Sports Board as well as a Pakistan Olympics Association (I wonder what their functions are?).
In the recently held Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, what happened? We did manage a few medals. It will make interesting reading to know as to how many athletes were sent and the number of officials who accompanied them. Expensive jaunts, aren't they?
The XXIX Olympiad is being held in Beijing, China, in 2008. Hardly any time is left. Request PSB and POA (do not know if their functions overlap) to pull up their socks, send talent-hunting scouts all over the country and harness winning potential now.
Get them into camps. I understand there is an international standard stadia in Islamabad, up-graded for the SAF Games in the not too recent past. Putting their own egos on the back-burner, get hold of good coaches/trainers, call the heroes of the past to impart whatever they can to the athletes/players, and do their best, but honestly and diligently, to bring to the fore the talent.
Races, being one of the major events in the Olympics, I know a certain gentleman, a serving one-star general (when I last had the pleasure of meeting him about 6 months ago), who won a gold medal at an Asian championship not too long ago.
Maybe his services can be requested for. Likewise in other disciplines, I am certain there are heroes of the past who will be only to willing to come and assist. In our country, with the population in the excess of 130 million souls, Im sure there is many a talent, raw as it maybe, with no access to proper facilities, waiting to be discovered.
When an impoverished country like Ethiopia can produce champion runners, why can't we? Before I end, I would like to digress a little and talk about cricket. The recent showing in Sri Lanka, and the two series earlier, Pakistan team is gelling and gelling well. Amazing talent nurtured by good team management. The sight of the Sri Lankan physio sprinting onto the field, whenever required by the Sri Lankans, whether batting or fielding, and then sprinting off, was unique. Maybe, our great, immensely talented Inzi (the run-out specialist) can privately take some running-between-the-wickets lessons from him.