National Games: A Tournament of Defeats, A Culture of Excuses, and an Escape from Responsibility

 

Musarrat Ullah Jan – KikxNow ,digital creator

As the National Games in Karachi move toward their conclusion, the event has once again exposed the cracks in our sports system—cracks that we have long tried to cover with temporary paint instead of real repairs. Sporting events are supposed to teach us something new, but these Games have forced us to think more deeply about the structural flaws we continue to ignore.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s contingent arrived in Karachi with heavy slogans, louder promises, and the kind of confidence that makes one believe medals will appear as soon as the team steps on the field. But reality was unforgiving. When it came to hockey, women’s football, wushu, and archery, the enthusiasm that was so visible at the time of departure dissolved almost immediately upon arrival.

Interestingly, KP held a strong position during the first two days—second only to departmental teams. But as the third day’s standings were released, everything shifted. Punjab climbed to first place, Sindh secured second, while KP slipped to third. The final results are still pending, yet it is already evident that performance did not match expectations.

Instead of assessing what went wrong, a familiar tradition has resurfaced: excuse-making.

Punjab is a bigger province, Sindh had home advantage, the heat in Karachi was unbearable, the equipment was substandard—every reason is on the table, except the real one: shortcomings within.

There’s an old Pashto proverb that captures this attitude perfectly:

“When the dancer doesn’t know how to dance, she complains that the stage is too small.”

And that is precisely the mindset that haunted these Games.

Reports throughout the event highlighted issues that went far beyond performance. Complaints poured in about accommodation problems, poor meals, mismanagement of travel allowances, and even an incident involving unfair treatment of a young athlete in Sindh. These were not isolated mishaps; they were symptoms of a system that is worn out, weak, and deeply neglected.

The truth is this: our problem is not competition—it is commitment. We demand improvement but shy away from accountability. Associations and departments alike celebrate their “efforts,” but rarely question the foundations on which these efforts stand.

The entire Sports Directorate of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was present in Karachi. Naturally, one would expect officials to be visible in the grounds, guiding teams, monitoring performance, evaluating on-ground realities, and learning. But on most days, the ground told a different story. Only a few officials were seen where it mattered; others appeared only in photographs—hotel lobbies, onference rooms, or scenic backdrops—images that serve politics more than sports.

If the system truly wants reform, the first step is honest documentation. Each association must prepare a detailed, transparent report—not a copy-paste document, not a cosmetic summary, but a candid account of what went wrong, what went right, and what must be fixed. Development, legal, and establishment wings must also present their findings. And these reports shouldn’t remain buried in departmental drawers—they must be made public.

 

A press conference is also essential. One where officials face questions rather than pose for pictures. A press conference where achievements are shared but shortcomings are also owned. In today’s world, accountability and transparency are not optional—they are the backbone of progress.

The Under-21 Games are just weeks away. If the same level of disorganization and indifference continues, the results will mirror the current ones. This time, however, the responsibility will be more visible. These are regional games; neither associations nor directorates will have the luxury of shifting blame.

Yet the most critical questions remain unanswered:

Where was the sports budget for the first six months of 2025–26 spent?

Which districts actually held sports activities?

How much money was allocated, and how much was used?

Where is the audit?

Who is accountable?

These are uncomfortable questions, but they shape the future of sports more than any slogan, ceremony, or press release.

Sports do not progress through files—they progress through fields. And as long as we continue valuing cosmetic activity over genuine development, National Games will come and go, medals will remain scarce, and the dream of a better sporting future will stay distant.

The Games may be ending, but the real test begins now:

Can we finally look in the mirror?

Can we finally accept our flaws?

Can we finally commit to changing the system rather than changing excuses?

If not, next year’s story will be the same—only the dates will differ.

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