Islamabad, Oct 26 – The Pakistan basketball community is in a state of anger after accusations that the national team’s selection for the Singapore tournament was riddled with favoritism and a lack of transparency. Players who had earned their spot through hard work and performance say they were sidelined in favour of those with personal connections or who were easy to influence.
The controversy highlights a long‑standing problem in Pakistani sports: internal politics, ego and personal ties often trump merit. Reports of similar issues have surfaced in cricket, hockey and athletics, according to The Nation. “When selection rooms become arenas of personal vendetta, Pakistan loses more than just games,” the paper said, adding that the country’s credibility on the world stage suffers when sporting bodies fail to act with integrity.
Mismanagement, petty turf wars and the arrogance of officials have become systemic in Pakistan’s sports sector. Instead of developing athletes, many governing bodies appear more concerned with extending their own power. The result: promising talent is demoralised, talent pipelines are disrupted, and national teams perform poorly in international competitions.
In July, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) announced it had formed an inquiry committee to investigate “serious irregularities” that appeared at the FISU World University Games 2025 in Germany. A key focus was the disappearance of two student athletes and the questionable selection of team officials. Dawn reported that the PSB called these “significant administrative failures,” citing a lack of transparency, discipline issues and logistical mismanagement.
The PSB’s statement also referred to the Higher Education Commission (HEC). It said that many staff selected for the international delegation were from HEC or its affiliated universities, raising worries about “merit and transparency.” The report added that two student-athletes were reported missing or suspected of fleeing from the event – an issue that further underlined the concerns about athlete welfare and oversight.
The fallout from these controversies is clear: players feel abandoned by the very institutions meant to represent them. They are forced onto the sidelines while other nations shine on the world stage. Until Pakistan’s sports bodies adopt accountability, professionalism and a merit‑based approach, the country risks losing out on both talent and reputation.
For now, the basketball community has called for a complete overhaul of the selection process and clearer policies that guarantee equal opportunity for all athletes. This may be a first step toward rebuilding trust in Pakistan’s sports administration and ensuring the country’s athletes can once again compete with confidence and fairness.
Source: ianslive
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