The University of Karachi held an international conference on rehabilitation and sport sciences on May 4, 2026, in Karachi, Pakistan. The event highlighted political interference as a significant reason for the decline of sports in the country.
KU’s Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi stated that political interference has caused sports decline in Pakistan. He emphasized that without clear policies, success is impossible. The conference aimed to produce recommendations for future sports development efforts.
Key statistics paint a troubling picture of sports in Pakistan:
- 30 million people live in Karachi, yet the sports sector struggles.
- The Sindh government plans to establish youth centers across seven districts to promote sports.
- Lack of proper governance and management contributes to the sector’s decline.
Sports medicine plays a crucial role in treating injuries, which are often misclassified as traffic accidents rather than sports injuries. Former national cricket captain Mohammad Hafeez remarked that discipline is fundamental in both sports and life.
Talent often emerges from streets and open grounds instead of structured programs. Hockey Olympian Syed Sameer Hussain pointed out that unlike developed countries, where talent-hunt programs identify athletes, Pakistan lacks such initiatives. This results in a shortage of truly talented individuals despite its large population.
Noman Niaz, a sports analyst, noted that the sector has been consistently neglected. The decline highlights an urgent need for effective governance and policy reform to revitalize sports development in Pakistan.