Sailing struggles to grow in Pakistan

Pakistan's sailing glory days are etched in memory, thanks to trailblazers like Byram D. Avari, Goshpi Avari, Munir Sadiq, and Mamoon Sadiq. Their remarkable achievements yielded a rich haul of medals, 10, at the Asian Games, cementing Pakistan's status as a major force in water sports.

In the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok, Byram helped Pakistan get international recognition in sailing by winning the first gold medal in the Enterprise class with fellow sailor Munir.

Byram also won a gold medal in the 1982 Asian Games in Delhi. However, this time he was accompanied by his wife Goshpi.

The pair of Mamoon and Munir also clinched silver twice in the Asian Games in 1994 and 1998.

However, two decades have passed since Pakistan's last sailing medal in 2002, which is a cause of concern.

Pakistan's tally of medals at the Asian Games in sailing events.Nukta

One needs a good boat, the right strategy, mental and physical fitness and some luck to win an event in sailing.

Captain AR Arshad, council member of World Sailing Federation, said that Pakistan Navy takes great interest in sailing but to promote the sport it is necessary to make the game accessible for civilians as well.

Captain Arshad said that the reason for the lack of success in sailing in Pakistan in the last few years is lack of opportunities. Sailing was stopped at Marina Club in Karachi and Rawal Lake in Islamabad which used to host frequent sailing competitions. Only PN Dockyard and Korangi Creek in Karachi allow players to train at the moment.

Captain Arshad, who is also the chairman of the technical committee of the Asian Sailing Federation, said that a training camp should be started to prepare for the Asian Games in Japan two years from now.

He also highlighted the lack of women participation in sailing in Pakistan while stating that the seats for women have been increased to 50 percent in the upcoming elections of the World Sailing Federation.

Lack of funds

Meanwhile, Commander Akram Tariq, Secretary General of Pakistan Sailing Federation, said that the biggest obstacle in the development of sailing is the lack of events which is primarily due to the lack of funds.

Akram added that the teams that have to qualify for the Olympics prepare by making long-term and short-term plans with training camps or competitions being organized six times a year.

He further informed that the sailing federation receives only one million rupees in two or three years from the Pakistan Sports board, which is not enough since the annual expenses are five to six million rupees.

Akram also said that the National Sailing Championship is going to be held in Karachi this month. Flat racing and match racing categories have been kept in the three-day competitions. Eight teams, including the Pakistan Army, Air Force and the host Navy, have confirmed their participation in the three-day event.