ISLAMABAD: A glaring selection lapse has cost Pakistan a near-certain gold medal at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, exposing serious flaws in the decision-making process of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) and raising questions over oversight by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
In what many are calling a missed golden opportunity, national high jump champion Sheroz Khan who recently soared to an impressive 2.08 metres to clinch gold at the National Games was inexplicably left out of the national contingent. His omission proved costly as the eventual gold medal in Sanya was secured by the Philippines’ Lenard Grospe, who cleared a modest 2.05 metres, a height well within Sheroz’s proven capability.
The contrast has sparked outrage within athletics circles, with critics terming it a case of sheer negligence that denied Pakistan not just a medal, but national pride on an international stage.
“This was a certain gold lost,” lamented Sheroz’s coach, Qazi Tanvir, while speaking to The News. “Sheroz has consistently cleared heights higher than the winning mark at Sanya. Even his National Games performance would have guaranteed Pakistan the top podium finish. It is astonishing that no authority intervened to ensure his inclusion.”
Tanvir expressed deep frustration over what he described as a systematic disregard for merit. “It is painful to watch an athlete with lesser performance claim gold while our best prospect sits at home. This is not about individuals, it’s about the country’s prestige. We had the ability to win, but we were denied the chance.”
Despite repeated efforts and appeals from the coaching camp highlighting Sheroz’s medal-winning potential, no corrective action was taken. The silence from key stakeholders has further intensified concerns over transparency and accountability within the federation.
Calling for immediate action, Tanvir urged the Secretary of the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), along with the PSB and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), to launch a thorough inquiry into the matter.
“I request the concerned authorities to investigate why a genuine gold medal contender was overlooked. This is a grave injustice, not just to Sheroz, but to Pakistan sport as a whole,” he asserted.
Pakistan’s overall performance in athletics at the Games further reflected the consequences of questionable selection policies. Sprinters Faiqa Riaz and Samiullah, who represented the country in the women’s and men’s 60m events respectively, both finished a disappointing eighth, failing to make any significant impact.
The episode has reignited debate over the priorities and competence of sports federations in Pakistan. Observers argue that while the government continues to emphasize sports development and international competitiveness, such administrative lapses undermine those efforts and squander valuable opportunities on the global stage.
As calls for accountability grow louder, the Sheroz Khan saga stands as a stark reminder that talent alone is not enough, without fair selection and proper governance, even the brightest medal hopes can be left grounded.
