Abbottabad LaCrosse Championship Scandal

 

A Mix of Diplomatic Shame, Mismanagement and Official Ignorance

In December 2024, what was to be an historic All Pakistan Female National LaCrosse Championship in Abbottabad came to a close in chaos, confusion, and controversy. With Pakistan set to host a prestigious national event and the Japanese Ambassador attending as chief guest, the sudden cancellation of the championship not only revealed blatant administrative negligence but also serious doubts regarding the competence of the sports administration machinery in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

This debacle has now turned into a case study of how mismanagement, conflicting stories, and diplomatic insensitivity can destroy both sports people and international relations.

As per the LaCrosse Association, preparations were made, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and other province teams were set to arrive, and even flight tickets had been booked. But a day before the first match, the district administration suddenly canceled the championship on some vague "security threats" — without official intimation from law enforcement agencies.

Even more mystifying was the alleged direct communication with the Japanese Ambassador, dissuading him from visiting. The local media depicted this not as a last-minute cancellation, but a planned act of sabotage to discredit both the organizers and the validity of Le Cross as a new sport for women in Pakistan.

Regional Sports Officer Ahmed Zaman distanced his office from the controversy, stating the Le Cross Association never formally informed him of the scope of the event or the meeting with the Commissioner. He further added that Le Cross is "not an Olympic sport," and the annual budget of his department of Rs. 2.4 million is not enough to hold such events.

In spite of his own doubts, Zaman assured the event was taking place — a contradiction that only serves to widen the credibility gap.

Contrary to this, Le Cross Association founder and secretary Taifur Khan provided evidence that tells a different story.

DPO Abbottabad assured there were no security risks.

The police had issued a formal security plan prior to the Ambassador's visit.

Teams had already arrived, including Gilgit-Baltistan teams.

The Sports Directorate itself purchased tickets for Sindh's team, defeating arguments that this was an unofficial or local affair.

Khan went on to disclose that the same female team picked in that interrupted championship won a gold medal in Japan in February 2025, yet again revealing the price tag on overlooking grass-root level talent and planning.

One Day Ban, One Day Approval? The Administrative Absurdity

After public outcry, a live press conference at the Abbottabad Press Club, and a players’ protest outside the Commissioner’s Office, the same district authorities instructed organizers to conduct the championship within a day. This U-turn makes the “security threat” claim highly questionable.

Unanswered and Uncomfortable Questions

This chaotic episode raises sharp and serious questions:

If genuine security concerns existed, how was the championship allowed to proceed the very next day?

Why was the Japanese Ambassador disinvited, with potential diplomatic harm to a long-time partner country?

Were the female athletes intentionally humiliated, and why?

What, if any, was the role of the provincial Sports Directorate to assist or undermine this event?

Sports Circles Demand Accountability

Throughout the sports fraternity, there is an increasing call for instant action by the Provincial Minister for Sports, Secretary Sports, and Director General Sports KP. The incident is viewed not merely as a local failure but as a part of an overarching pattern of neglect, cronyism, and ineptness in provincial sports administration.

This was more than a sporting event — it was a moment for empowerment, representation, and international goodwill. Yet it was destroyed by bureaucracy, ego, and indifference. If lessons aren't learned from the Abbottabad Le Cross fiasco, the future of inclusive sports in Pakistan, particularly for women, remains deeply uncertain.

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