Cynical and skeptical Pakistanis could surely be wondering when will come good news that will lift their spirits and raise their morale about the state of affairs in the country. When was it the last time that there was something to feel buoyant about, something that would bring cheer and gladden the hearts of ordinary citizens?
I am not talking about something like fashion shows in Karachi or Lahore or the advent of visible, blooming beautiful spring, which does come to some parts of the country. In Karachi, the flower shows are few and do not really shape in any way the mood of the city. The impact here is nominal, and symbolises a thriving elitism in our lives.
It is the overall mood of the country that I have in mind today, which among other factors, new and old, internal and external, remains grey, uncertain and deeply dangerous and disturbing. And in all this there is the agitated concern that is being demonstrated about the disappointing performance of the national teams in cricket and hockey. Of immediate relevance is the cricket team's recent tour of Australia and subsequent allegations of match fixing, which have been voiced also by the Senate Standing Committee on Sports on Monday, and the Pakistan hockey team performance in the hockey World Cup that was played in India, and where Pakistan came last.
One does wonder why at all does the ordinary Pakistani, or even the educated, discerning Pakistani appear so troubled, and vocal about it when the hockey or cricket team loses a match or an entire series or tournament. Perhaps for Pakistanis, there has now come a stage where there is little good news that comes their way. If they have to combat rising prices of food and non food items on a daily basis, or live with energy and transport shortages or pathetic medical facilities that exist in government hospitals in particular, or brave the war against terror that is being fought deep inside the country, as well as at the borders, they also have to reconcile with the oft mentioned, oft argued theories and fears that Pakistan is a failed state or on the verge of becoming one with the way its corruption is going, growing and becoming acceptable. This is only one of the reasons for the pessimism there is about the image and reality of this Islamic republic. Sometimes it seems that it is all so colourless, lacking in form and content too.
Of course, these two above mentioned sports have had the ability to knit together, in emotional and passionate terms, people from all over the country, much divided by ethnic, sectarian, linguistic and other political considerations. Inevitably the demand on cricketers and hockey players is that much higher and the pressure on them to win is that much more intense, and the public unwilling and unable to accept anything less than a win. And losing out to India in these two sports also, only aggravates the situation, and adds insult to injury, as if.
What has apparently complicated the recent defeats in cricket and hockey (would it be said of the overall decline in sports standards in the country) is the politicisation of the management and the players. Player power versus the rest, almost. In the present situation as far as cricket goes, player power seems losing.
I was talking to a sports enthusiast, who had an interesting argument to offer in absolute defence of the players, howsoever guilty they be of politics or match fixing or whatever, else they are being charged with. He said that why has the country targeted cricketers alone for ban and fines and other punitive measures? What about the rest of the country? Is there no one else against whom such action can be taken? The military and civil bureaucrats or others in high positions and powerful offices, or the politicians and so on. Why is the country focusing on cricketers alone? Are they the only dishonest ones around us?
As against this viewpoint, there was another opinion that I heard from a seasoned sports enthusiast who said what is so surprising about groups and infighting in the cricket team or even the hockey team. If there is infighting in Islamabad or if the Punjab government is battling against the Punjab governor or the infighting that is taking place all over the country and damaging the very fabric of the nation, is it not natural that it affects the cricket and hockey teams. After all today's players have their influential political lobbies (government and opposition platforms both) and which, of course, are there to protect overall financial interests - short-term and long-term.
A look at the way there is heightened emotional focus on cricket and hockey on the TV channels today will reflect the amazing priority attached to the ongoing developments, changes and even downright unreasonable stands that are being taken by players, former players and current and former managements and their politically backed chiefs. Yesterday's sports heroes are today's villains, in a society that really has not been able to create heroes on a sustainable long term basis The way we have had raging controversies about the most respected, revered men and women in Pakistan's 62 years is something to contemplate about.
Any way, I remember there was a time when it was categorically stressed that it was vital to keep sports clean of politics. Now it seems that a stage has been reached where politics and sports cannot be kept apart. Politics of course, now means the art and science of money making, or corruption, unbridled and unrestrained. And if there is political instability and governmental tugs of war that is evident all over the country, especially in Islamabad, it is natural that it shapes the attitude and the personality of the Pakistan Cricket Board or the Pakistan Hockey Federation.
The point to worry about is not what is happening now. With all the known and unknown, vested political and commercial interests that we are familiar with in Pakistan, one does wonder (fear really) about what lies ahead in the world of sports in general and cricket and hockey in particular. When exactly will this shameful phase of cricket and hockey be over? For that matter when will Pakistan be free of its many faceted ills? Perhaps, this march will bring no spring?
I am reminded here of a solitary couplet from Faiz Ahmed Faiz who said as follows "Na Gul Khilay, Na Unsey Miley, Na Maey Pee Hai Ajeeb Rang Mein Ab Key Bahar Guzri Hai". I hope my memory has ensured accuracy!!
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