The Dismal Reality of Horse Riding in Pakistan: A Sport for the Elite, Paid for by the Common People
A hundred years ago, the landscape of transportation and leisure in Pakistan was vastly different. Horses were a common sight, a necessity for mobility and livelihood, while only the affluent could afford the luxury of owning a car. Fast forward to today, the scenario has reversed dramatically: cars have become ubiquitous, while horses—once a symbol of a common man's life—are now reserved for the wealthy.
In
today’s market, a decent horse costs around 1 million rupees, a price that is
out of reach for most Pakistanis. Beyond the initial purchase, the costs of
maintaining a horse, including feeding and care, are substantial, making horse
ownership a privilege of the rich. This stark reality highlights the growing
socio-economic divide in Pakistan, where even recreational activities like
horse riding are becoming exclusive to the elite.
Amidst
this backdrop, the recent allocation of over 180 million rupees by the sports
directorate for the development of horse riding clubs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(KP) raises several critical questions. In a province where cricket and squash
dominate the sports scene and where most players struggle to afford basic
necessities like shoes and equipment, this decision seems not only misguided but
also deeply unjust.
Cricket
and squash have long been the pride of KP, producing players who have brought
glory to the region. Yet, many of these players lack the financial support
needed to sustain their careers. They often struggle to afford proper shoes,
gear, and training facilities. The contrast between the struggles of these
athletes and the lavish spending on horse riding clubs, a sport that remains
out of reach for the majority, is stark and troubling.
Horse
riding, unlike cricket or squash, is not a sport that can be easily accessed or
practiced by the average citizen. It requires significant financial investment,
not only in purchasing a horse but also in maintaining it. The costs of
feeding, stabling, and healthcare for horses are exorbitant, further
restricting this sport to the upper echelons of society.
In
Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan, where the horse riding clubs are being
established, there is little to no existing infrastructure or culture for this
sport. The lack of accessibility to these clubs for the common people means
that these facilities will likely serve only a select few—predominantly those
with political connections and deep pockets. This reality begs the question:
who are these clubs really for? And at what cost to the taxpayer?
The
establishment of these horse riding clubs in Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan
represents a significant burden on the taxpayers of KP. In a time when the
majority of people are struggling to meet their basic needs, diverting public
funds to support a sport that caters to the elite seems not only wasteful but
also deeply unjust. This is especially true when the existing sports
infrastructure for more popular and accessible sports like cricket and squash
remains underfunded and neglected.
The
decision to invest in horse riding clubs, despite the lack of demand or
accessibility for the general population, seems to be more about serving the
interests of a privileged few than promoting sports for all. It raises serious
concerns about the priorities of those in power and their commitment to the
welfare of the common people.
As
the sports directorate continues to allocate funds, it is crucial to reassess
the priorities and needs of the region's athletes and the general population.
Investing in sports that are accessible to all, such as cricket and squash,
should take precedence over elitist pursuits like horse riding. Public funds
should be used to benefit the many, not the few.
The
allocation of resources in KP reflects a broader issue in Pakistan, where the
interests of the elite often overshadow the needs of the majority. It is time
for a serious reconsideration of how public funds are spent and who truly
benefits from these expenditures. The people of KP deserve better—a sports
infrastructure that supports their aspirations and promotes inclusivity, not
one that serves the whims of a privileged minority.
#SportsForAll #EquityInSports #TaxpayerRights #PublicFunds #AccessibleSports #EndElitism #HorseRidingForFew #SupportCricket #InvestInAthletes #KPSports #FairPlay #SportsJustice #CommunityOverElites #PeopleFirst
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