Sport in Pakistan is a significant part of Pakistani culture. Cricket is the most popular sport in Pakistan.[1]Football has also gained popularity in recent years, and is the second most popular sport in the country.[2][3][4]Field hockey is the national sport, and was popular for several decades, with some of Pakistan's greatest sporting accomplishments having taken place in this sport, along with squash. Polo and traditional sports like kabaddi and other well-known games are also played.[1]
Football in Pakistan is as old as the country itself. Shortly after the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was created, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah became its first Patron-in-Chief.[8] The highest football division in Pakistan is the Pakistan Premier League. Pakistan is known as one of the best manufacturers of the official FIFA World Cup ball.[9][10]
In field hockey, Pakistan is one of the most successful national teams with a record four Hockey World Cup wins, eight Asian Games gold medals, three gold medals in the Olympic Games, and the only Asian team to have won the prestigious Champions Trophy, with three championships.[1][11][12]
Squash player Jahangir Khan is widely regarded as the greatest squash player of all time, followed by Jansher Khan.[13][14][15][16] From 1981 to 1986, Jahangir was unbeaten and during that time won 555 consecutive matches – the longest winning streak by any athlete in top-level professional sport as recorded by Guinness World Records.[17][18]
Pakistan's sporting prowess has declined sharply in recent years, while cricket remains widely popular, other sports have suffered due to neglect from both the government and sporting authorities.[21][22][23][24][25] The corporatization of sports in Pakistan has led to a lack of investment in nurturing talented athletes and providing adequate facilities and training.[26] Government patronage and funding for sports are at an all-time low, resulting in outdated equipment, obsolete training methods, and dilapidated sports infrastructure.[27] The focus on cricket has overshadowed other sports, exacerbating the decline across various disciplines.[28][29]
The Pakistan Sports Board was created in 1962 by the Ministry of Education as a corporate body to promote and develop uniform standards of competition in sports in Pakistan comparable to the standards prevailing internationally, and regulating and controlling sports in Pakistan on a national basis. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, now has control over the Pakistan Sports Board. The PSB controls all 39 sporting federations. The Pakistan Sports Board is supported by the Pakistan Sports Trust, which assists hard-up players and associations so they can continue participating in sports in the Olympic Games, Asian Games, World Games, and Commonwealth Games.
National participation
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, had a great love for the sport and fully realized the vital role it played in the development of nations and the inculcation of discipline among the masses. In a meeting with the Organizing Committee of the First Pakistan Olympic Games held at Karachi, Jinnah told the first President of the Pakistan Olympic Association, Ahmed E.H.:
Dedicate yourself to sports promotion, for when you and I are gone, leadership will go into the hands of Youth, and Youth is our wealth, a raw material, that must be hammered into shape, into burnished steel to strive and smite in defense – the defense of the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan – the defense of the ideology of Pakistan.
Over the years, Pakistan has been held back due to the lack of funds placed in sports. Many facilities are substandard, causing Pakistan to fall behind other nations. In its early years, the young state had been able to compete with much success, but during the late 1970s, with the government no longer investing in athletics, the country could no longer compete.
However, since the late 1990s, this trend has changed. Money is now being placed into sports, and many of the federations are now managed by people who are trying to push Pakistani sportsmen and -women forward. International tournaments are now hosted in the country, and the nation sends athletes to compete abroad. There has also been a restructuring of national tournaments, and new facilities and equipment are being provided. This has seen overall results improve.
The Pakistan Sports Board is a government institution whereas the Pakistan Olympic Association is working under the shelter of the International Olympic Committee. Due to government interference, the Pakistan Olympic Association is very close to getting a ban from participation in the Olympic Games. Due to the Cold War, Pakistani sports is also suffering but, there is no hope of resolving this problem due to government-level dictatorship.
[37]
The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) is the national governing body of field hockey in Pakistan. The Pakistan Hockey Federation Women Wing (PHFWW) is the official organization of women's field hockey in Pakistan.
The Pakistan national field hockey team has won 3 gold medals at the Olympic Games, and lifted the Hockey World Cup 4 times, being the country with most World Cups till the present. It has also won the most Asian gold medals and is the only Asian team to have won the prestigious Champions Trophy with 3 titles. It used to be consistently ranked among the top teams in the world. However, lately, there has been a decline in results, with the national team failing to qualify for both the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. The hockey team also failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup.[39] Also, because of the PHF's poor economy, there were two years without any international matches between 2019 and 2021. PHF secretary lamented over lack of funding could even ban Pakistan hockey team.[40] As of December 2022 the team is ranked 16th in the world.[41] Notable players include World-Record holder Waseem Ahmad, Mohammed Saqlain, and Sohail Abbas.
The origin of football in Pakistan can be traced back to the mid-nineteenth century when the game was introduced during the British Raj. Initially, games were played between army teams. However, clubs were soon set up around the country.[42] One of the regional federations to organize football on what is now Pakistan Territory was the North-West India Football Association, in which clubs from the city of Lahore and the surrounding region were active.[43]Kohat FC was the first club to be established in 1930, it became the first outstation team to win the North-West India Football Championship 1937 in 1937 defeating Government College Lahore 1–0 in the finals.[43] The first female club to be established was Diya W.F.C. in 2002.[44]
Shortly after the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) was created, and Muhammad Ali Jinnah became its first Patron-in-Chief. PFF received recognition from FIFA in early 1948.[45] The annual National Championship was organized shortly after. In 1950, the national team gained their first international experience in Iran and Iraq.[46]
Teams were established in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Multan, and Gujranwala.[47] It is currently strongest in the Swat Valley, where a large competition operates and draws large enthusiastic crowds. A women's team was formed in 2017. A major national tournament was organized in 2018.[48] Australia sent a coach to assist Pakistan in 2019 however the sport's rapid growth in popularity was greatly outpacing local officials ability to support it.[49] 10 of Pakistan's more than 15 clubs contested the 2021 AFL Pakistan National Championships in Islamabad.[50]
Pakistan sent a team to the Asian Championship in 2022, however met some roadblocks to participation due to funding.[51] Despite challenges sending a team, it won the Division 3 title.[52] In 2022 AFL Asia reported that Pakistan was the largest and fastest growing nation for the sport in Asia with over 5,000 players with a 45% annual increase in participation.[53] The Pakistan national side are known as the Dragoons.
Ball hockey
The Pakistan national ball hockey team is primarily composed of Canadian Pakistanis, born in Canada or with links to that nation. The sport is growing in the South Asian community there. Pakistan competed for the first time at the World Championships in 2009. They finished 3rd out of 4 in Group B behind only Bermuda and ice hockey giants Finland, and ahead of Cayman Islands. In the next world championships, they also participated and were champions of their group after defeating France in extra time. The Pakistan national ball hockey team is developing and improving, and in 2013 were awarded Pool A status, competing for gold in St. John's, Newfoundland.
Basketball was introduced to Pakistan around 1900 and is especially popular in Lahore and Karachi. The Pakistan Basketball Federation has been part of FIBA since 1958. Six teams play in the Pakistan first division. The National Women's Basketball Championship is the Women's Basketball tournament.
Handball was first played in 1984 in an exhibition event, and was taken up by the Pakistan Olympic Association. The Pakistan Handball Federation is a member of the Asia Handball Federation. In beach handball, Pakistan is ranked first in Asia.3rd World Beach Handball Championship held from 9 to 13 July 2008 in Cadiz, Spain. Pakistan obtained 5th position and qualified for the World Games. Pakistan Handball team won one Gold medal in the 11th South Asian Games 2010, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Pakistan obtained one silver medal during IHF Challenge Trophy 2010 held in Dhaka.[55] Pakistan also participated in the Beach Handball World Cup in 2008. Pakistan won the gold medal at the first Beach Asian Games in Bali, Indonesia.
Ice hockey
Pakistan has an ice hockey team but it is not part of the IIHF. Pakistan applied for membership but the congress postponed it until it had a better structure. However, Pakistan has deep roots in ice hockey in the northern parts of Gilgit-Baltistan province.[56]
The first hockey game in Pakistan took place in December 2018 in Naltar between the Pakistan Air Force and Gilgit Scouts.[56] Baltistan Ice Hockey Championship 2022 was held in Skardu on January 25-26, with teams named after glaciers, to raise awareness about climate change.[57][58]
The Pakistan Rugby Union was formally established in 2000 and gained memberships with the Asian Rugby Football Union in 2000. In 2003, Pakistan fielded a national team for the first time, participating in the Provincial Tournament in Sri Lanka. In November 2004, it participated in the 19th Asian Championship in Hong Kong. The Pakistan Rugby Union then became an associate member of the International Rugby Board (IRB).
The latest landmark for Pakistan rugby is that universities like Lahore University of Management and Sciences (LUMS) and Bahria University Islamabad have formed teams as well.[59]
Volleyball is a popular sport in the Pakistan Armed Forces. Inter-services games are played regularly, and most players of the Pakistani volleyball team are from the armed forces. This game is also gaining popularity among private school students in Karachi and Islamabad.
Pakistan Volleyball Federation is the governing body of Volleyball in Pakistan.
Equestrian sports
Usman Khan during the Show Jumping Phase at Asia Pacific Championship in Sydney.
Equestrianism had traditionally been limited to the upper-echelon of Pakistani society up until the end of the 20th century. This resulted in private sponsorship and government funding (PST) for the sport. Pakistan Eventing was launched in July 2005 in partnership with The Equestrian & Tent Pegging Federation of Pakistan in an attempt to qualify Pakistan for its first Olympic equestrian qualification.
Polo is believed to have originated in Persia, and continues to be an important sport within the country with several large annual competitions.
The annual Shandur Polo Festival at Shandur Top in Chitral District is an international event attended by enthusiasts from all over the world.[19] The Shandur polo ground at Shandur Pass is the world's highest, at approximately 3,734 metres (12,251 ft).[20] The governing body of polo in Pakistan is the Pakistan Polo Association. There are more than twenty-one polo clubs in Pakistan[60] and over forty polo championships held all over the country every year.[61] Pakistan has qualified for the preliminary rounds of the World Polo Championship three times. Pakistan's Hissam Ali Haider is the highest cap played in the Asian circuit. He has played for Cartier in the St. Moritz Snow Polo World Cup and the Commonwealth team in the Royal Salute Coronation Cup, both of which were won by his team.[62]
Tent pegging is a popular sport in Pakistan. It is also locally named neza bazi.[63] The Equestrian & Tent Pegging Federation of Pakistan, formed in 2014, is the highest governing body who organizes the sport in Pakistan. Various clubs across the country also organize an event as well. The sport is the major event of the National Horse & Cattle Show held at Fortress Stadium Lahore. Pakistanis compete in various international events notably the World Cup which commenced in 2014.[64]
In 1979, Pakistan participated in the World Championships organized by the WBF, which was a rival body of the Badminton World Federation that would later cease its operation on May 26, 1981, and merged with the International Badminton Federation (now known as Badminton World Federation or BWF). They won a bronze and a silver at the event, in men's team and men's singles.
Pakistan had only appeared in the international stage three times as they were eliminated in the group stage in the 1993, 1995 and 1997 edition of the Sudirman Cup.
The nation would make its first badminton debut in the Olympics when national player Mahoor Shahzad represented the country in the women's singles discipline.[69]
The team would later participate in the 2022 Commonwealth Games mixed team event through a bipartite invitation.
Jahangir Khan, widely regarded as the greatest squash player of all time.
Squash is a popular sport that has a large following in Pakistan, with Pakistan dominating the sport for some time. The World Open professional championship was inaugurated in 1976 and serves as the main competition today.
Jansher Khan won the World Open eight times, and the British Open six times. From 1990 until 1996, he remained unbeaten in 81 matches for consecutive six years. This longest-winning matches streak in Squash history was recorded by Guinness World Records.[70][71]Jahangir Khan won the World Open title six times, and the British Open title ten times (1982–1991), and is widely regarded as the greatest squash player of all time,[14][13][15] and one of the greatest sportsmen in Pakistan history.[16][72] From 1981 to 1986, Khan was unbeaten and during that time won 555 consecutive matches[17] – the longest winning streak by any athlete in top-level professional sport as recorded by Guinness World Records.[18][73][74]
Combined they have won 14 world opens, making Pakistan the most decorated Squash nation in the world. Pakistani players have won the Squash World Open 17 times, and British Open 12 times, the highest by any nation.
Carla Khan, one of Pakistan's most successful sportswomen, is one of several men and women who represent Pakistan. The Pakistan Squash Federation is the governing body in the country. The Pakistan Open tournament is one of the premier events of the sport in the country. Every province of the country holds its own men's and women's championships. Some other notable players from Pakistan include Hashim Khan, Torsam Khan, Mobillah Khan, and Qamar Zaman.
Table tennis
The Pakistan Table Tennis Federation runs the sport in the country. Farjad Saif is the first player in Pakistan Table Tennis history to represent the country in the Olympics, participating in the 1988 Seoul Games. He did exceedingly well eventually ending the Olympic games with a ranking of 25th in the world.[75] He also holds a record 13 national titles also being the only individual to win the title 7 times in a row.
The Pakistan Davis Cup team have previously reached the world group play-offs, with the help of Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi, currently Pakistan's number one, and Aqeel Khan, the number two. Tennis events are very rare in Pakistan and there is hardly an international tennis event, apart from ATP tournaments.
The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) organises athletic tournaments in Pakistan. Pakistani athletes compete in various athletic events. Some Pakistani athletes have excelled in various events in the distant past including Abdul Khaliq, Ghulam Raziq, Mubarak Shah, John Permal, Muhammad Talib, Ahmed Sajjad Cheema, Abid Hussain, Arshad Saleem, Arshad Nadeem, Ali Kamani and Nawaz, Mohammad Alam, and Muhammad Younis are some of the athletes who got prominence at either Asian or International levels, or both, winning gold medals for Pakistan.[77] In the early decades, Pakistanis held many Asian records including the Asian 100 m and 200 m record held by Abdul Khaliq. Pakistani female athletes have also represented Pakistan at the international level, such as Shabana Akhtar, who was the first Pakistani female athlete to participate at the Olympics. International events such as the Lahore Marathon take place in the country.
Snooker is one of the rising sports in Pakistan, and it has been taken up by many people. There has been success at the international level; Mohammed Yousuf was the 1994 IBSF World Snooker Champion and the 2006 IBSF World Masters Champion; and Shokat Ali is the Pakistan number one player and an Asian Games Gold medalist. The Pakistan Billiards Snooker Association (PBSA) was formed in 1958.
In Pakistan, chess is played throughout the country, mostly in the Mughal style which is slightly different from the international style, but the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) organizes its tournaments in the international style, and according to the established rules.[81] The FIDE has awarded the International Master title to Shahzad Mirza[82] and Mahmood Lodhi.[83] Ironically being 5th most populated country, Pakistan so far has 0 grandmasters.
The Pakistan Cycling Federation is the governing body of cycling in Pakistan. The Tour de Pakistan International Cycling Race starts from Karachi and ends in Peshawar, with about 150 domestic and international cyclists taking part every year. This race is among the largest of such events in Asia, covering a distance of 1,648 km in eleven stages with four days of rest en route.[84] Teams from WAPDA, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Railways, and Sui Southern Gas Company, along with teams of the four provinces regularly take part in domestic and international cycling tournaments. Women's cycling also takes place in the country. Other events are the Tour of Islamabad and the MTB Tour of the Himalayas.
Pakistan has qualified for the Golf World Cup a total of 4 times,[85] in 1975, 1977, 1982, and recently in 2009,[86] when they finished joint 22nd out of the 28 qualifying teams.[87] The Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) run golf in Pakistan. Karachi Golf Club is one of the oldest in the country and it is where the Pakistan Open takes place. The Pakistan Open was founded in 1967 and became an Asian Tour event in 2006. Chris Rodgers won the Pakistan Open in 2006. The 2007 event was held in January and had an increased prize money purse of $330,000 US. Taimur Hussain has been Pakistan's most successful golfer, as he won the 1998 Myanmar Open, becoming the first Pakistani to win on the Asian Tour.
The Ski Federation of Pakistan, created in December 1990, runs the sport. Despite being a country with many mountains, the sport has never taken off until the late 1990s. Up until then, it was only done by the Pakistan Army. Now there have been facilities put in place so that the sport can be played, and the Ski Federation of Pakistan now sends out teams to international tournaments.[91]
The Motorsport Association of Pakistan (MAP) is a member of the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile FIA. The Pakistan National Karting Championship was the first motor racing circuit competition in Pakistan and is used to develop rookie drivers. The Freedom Rally is a yearly off-road race that takes place during the Independence celebrations.
Nur B. Ali was the first Pakistani Racing driver and Co-founded the MAP. He drives in the ARCA RE/MAX Series and is a former two-time Southwest Formula Mazda Regional Series champion. Ali was also the driver of the A1GP Team Pakistan in 2006. Syed Ovais Naqvi is the first local and homegrown professional Pakistani Racecar Driver and he is also the first Pakistani to acquire the International B Racing license, he also co-founded the MAP and is the General Secretary of the body. Ovais was also responsible for putting together the Pakistan National Karting Championship. Omer Younas is currently racing in the Formula BMW Pacific and Adnan Sarwar races in Formula Rolon. In 2005, the A1 Team Pakistan was run by Adam Langley-Khan, Khan remained the Team Pakistan driver until 2008. He also drives in the Euroseries 3000.
Mountaineering
With the greatest concentration of the highest peaks of the world many of them very challenging climbs, Pakistan is a prime location for skilled mountain climbers. Five peaks are over 8,000 meters. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) founded in 1974, is the national mountaineering and climbing federation. Chiltan Adventurers Association Balochistan is the major affiliated unit of ACP founded in 1984. Nazir Sabir, Ashraf Aman, Hayatullah Khan Durrani
Lt.Col Abdul Jabbar Bhatti, Col Sher Khan, and Meherban Karim are Pakistan's most experienced mountaineers.
Pakistan Alpine Institute is the pioneer of "big wall climbing" in Pakistan.[92] Pakistan's First Big Wall Climbing Expedition has been completed by Imran Junaidi and Usman Tariq in September 2013.[93]
Samina Baig is the first Pakistani woman and the third Pakistani to climb Mount Everest. She is also the youngest Muslim woman to climb Everest, having done so at the age of 21. Samina is also the first Pakistani woman and the first Muslim to climb the seven summits.[94][95][96]
Pakistan has won medals at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. Quetta born Haider Ali won gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games as a Featherweight and went on to become a professional boxer. Asghar Ali Shah is a two-time Olympian with 13 gold and 10 silver medals at international level.
Anita Karim is the first international female Mixed Martial Arts fighter from Pakistan to win multiple national and international-level bouts.[105][106]
Taekwondo
The Pakistan Taekwondo Federation is the national governing body to develop and promote the sport of Taekwondo in the Pakistan.[107] Taekwondo was introduced in Pakistan by Korean Consulate in Karachi in 1962. The federation was established in 1977 and granted affiliation by World Taekwondo. In 1982, the federation was affiliated with the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
It is a regular part of the biannual National Games. The federation organizes the annual National Taekwondo Championship.[108]
Gama Pahalwan is the best Indian/Pakistani wrestler in history.
Wrestling has always been an important sport in Pakistan, with regular tournaments played locally. Gama Pahalwan was an undefeated World Wrestling Champion from Pakistan. Gama Pahalwan's nephew Bholu Pahalwan also represented Pakistan in wrestling.
The Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) is the national governing body of the sport of Wrestling in Pakistan.
Mohammad Bashir won the bronze medal in freestyle wrestling in the welterweight class (73 kg) at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome.[109][110] becoming Pakistan first wrestling Olympic medalist.[109] Pakistan's most successful event in the Commonwealth Games has been Wrestling, where it has won 42 medals, 21 of which have been Gold. It ranks 3rd overall in Wrestling at the Commonwealth Games.[111]
Aquatic and paddle sports
Canoe Kayak
Abubakar Durrani and Shoaib Khilji are Pakistan National Kayaking Champions.
The Pakistan Canoe and Kayak Federation is the only official governing body of canoe and kayak sports in Pakistan. The headquarters of PCKF is based in the Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy at Hanna LakeQuetta, one of the major canoe / kayak paddling and Rowing center in Pakistan.[112] PCKF is affiliated on international level with International Canoe Federation International Canoe Federation (ICF)[113][114] and on Asian level with Asian Canoe Confederation (ACC),[115] and on National level recognised with Pakistan Sports Board. The Kayaking National Champions Mohammad Abubakar Durrani, Mohammad Shoaib Khilji, and Farhanullah Kakar belong to HDWSA and Pakistan Customs Canoe & Kayak team Quetta.
Rowing
Karachi and Quetta are the major centers of rowing in Pakistan. The National Rowing Championship is the major national event of rowing in the country. The Pakistan Rowing Federation was a founding member of the Asian Rowing Federation. Although Pakistani rowers take part in events, it is considered a minority sport. Rowers like Ali Hassan, Maqbool Ali, Zohaib Zia Hashmi, and Muhammad Asad Khan have won medals at international events and in International School Rowing events. Junior Rowers from Balochistan, such as Mehardil Khan Baabai and Mirwaise Khan Baabai won many medals.
Sailing
The Pakistan Sailing Federation is the national body, with Karachi and Balochistan Sailing/Yachting Associations as its major units. Byram Dinshawji Avari represented Pakistan at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, and again at the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi. He also won a silver medal at the Enterprise World Championship held in Canada in 1978. In 2004, Mohammad Tanveer of Pakistan won a silver medal in the Mistral Asian Championship held in Bombay. Shazli Tahir won silver and Junaid Ahmed won a bronze medal in the first CAS International Sailing Championship in April 2008.
Up until recently, swimming struggled as a sport in Pakistan. But there has been a surge in interest, particularly with Rubab Raza. She was the youngest Olympic Pakistani competitor in Pakistan's history, aged 13 at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Kiran Khan known as "Golden Girl" also came to attention when she won 7 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 3 bronze medals at 28 National Games in 2001.
Pakistan Swimming Federation is the governing body of swimming in the Pakistan
^Waraich, Omar (11 February 2014). "Where soccer gets made". The Far Post. Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2021.
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