Sport in Pakistan
Encyclopedia
Along with Champions of Squash
and Hockey
, Cricket
is the by far the most popular sport in Pakistan, and they have been considered the most dominant country in the sport of cricket, with numerous records under. Traditional sports like Kabaddi
and other well known games are also played. The Pakistan Sports Board
was created in 1962 by the Ministry of Education
as a corporate body for the purposes of promoting and developing uniform standards of competition in sports in Pakistan comparable to the standards prevailing internationally, and regulating and controlling sports in Pakistan on a national basis. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, now has control over the Pakistan Sports Board
. The PSB controls all 39 Sporting Federations. The Pakistan Sports Board is support by the Pakistan Sports Trust which assists hard up players and associations so they can continue participating in sports.
Over recent years there has been an increase in sporting activity in Pakistan, with Pakistani sportsmen and women participating at many national and international events. Also, more international tournaments now take place in Pakistan. The size of the teams Pakistan sends, and the number of events they participate in the Olympic Games
, Asian Games
, World Games
and Commonwealth Games
has increased since the turn of the century.
, the founder of Pakistan, had a great love for sport and fully released the vital role it played in the development of Nations and inculcation of discipline among the masses. In a meeting with the Organizing Committee of the First Pakistan Olympic Games held at Karachi
Jinnah said to the first President of Pakistan Olympic Association
Mr. Ahmed E.H.
"Dedicate yourself to sports promotion, for when you and I are gone, leadership will go into the hands of Youth, and Youth is our wealth, a raw material, that must be hammered into shape, into burnished steel to strive and smite in defence - the defence of the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan - the defence of the ideology of Pakistan."
The first National Games were held at Polo Ground, Karachi
from 23 to 25 April 1948. Sportsmen and officials from East Pakistan
(now Bangladesh
) and all the integrated Provincial units of West Pakistan
took part in these Games. The total number of athletes was 140. No competitors were, however, invited from any foreign country. Competitions were held in track and field athletics, basketball, boxing, cycling, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling.
Over the years, Pakistan has been held back due to the lack of funds placed in sports. Many facilities are of substandard, this has seen Pakistan fall behind other nations. In the early years, the young state would be able to compete, with many success, but during the late 70's with the government not investing in sports, the country no longer could compete.
However, since the late 90's, this trend has changed. Money is now being placed into sports, and many of the federations are now managed by people who are trying to push Pakistani sportsmen and women forward. International tournaments are now hosted in the country, and the nation now sends sportsmen and women to compete abroad. There have also been restructuring of national tournaments, and new facilities and equipment being provided. This has seen overall results improve.So in other words, you can say that baseball is a popular sport in Pakistan, because it is a sport.
On March 3, 2009, 12 militants with guns
, grenades, and rocket launchers attacked a bus
carrying the Sri Lankan cricket
team to a match at Lahore
's Gaddafi Stadium
in Pakistan. Six Pakistani policemen escorting the team and two civilians were killed while seven Sri Lankan players and an assistant coach
were injured. Since the terrorist attacks, no foreign cricket teams have competed in Pakistan. A month after the attack on the Sri Lankan team, the International Cricket Council
relieved Pakistan of co-hosting duty for any 2011 World Cup
games. Pakistan has tried to make the best of the situation by offering to host its "home" matches on neutral territory
in the United Arab Emirates
.
Cricket
has a huge following and based on attendance figures at games.Almost all districts and neighborhoods in Pakistan have a cricket team and people start playing from a young age. Pakistan has won international cricket events which include the 1992 Cricket World Cup
and the 2009 ICC World Twenty20
, besides finishing as runner up in 1999 World Cup
and 2007 World Twenty20. Pakistan's cricket teams take part in domestic competitions such as the ABN AMRO Cup, the ABN-AMRO Patron's Trophy, ABN-AMRO Twenty-20
Cup, and the ABN-AMRO Champions Trophy. International test and one-day matches are played between the Pakistan national team and foreign opponents regularly. The Pakistan Cricket Board
controls both the men’s and women’s games. Women's Cricket
is also very popular, with Kiran Baluch
holding the current record of the highest score in a women's test match with her 242. Notable Cricketers from Pakistan include: Aaqib Javed
, Ramiz Raja, Shoaib Akhtar
, Wasim Akram
, Zaheer Abbas
, Javed Miandad
, Saeed Anwar
, Muhammad Yousaf, Inzamam-ul-Haq
, Waqar Younis
, Shahid Afridi
, Muhammad Brothers and
Imran Khan
. Imran Khan is turned to politics, married to Jemima Khan
is named in ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
, Saeed Anwar 194 runs against Indian Cricket Team held the record of most runs by a batsman for 11 years Untill Indian Batsman Sachin Tendulkar
broke that record by making 200 against SouthAfrica in 2010 , Shoaib Akhtar holds the record of delivering the fastest bowl in history of Cricket, Shahid Afridi holds numerous record i.e. Fastest Century in ODIs, Wasim Akram on the time of retirement had most wickets in ODIs, Muhammad Yousuf scored most Test runs in Calender year.
(PHF) is the national governing body of field hockey in Pakistan. The Pakistan Hockey Federation Women Wing (PHFWW) is the official organization of Women's Field Hockey in Pakistan. The Pakistan men's team
has won 3 gold medals at the Olympics
and lifted the Hockey World Cup
4 times, a World Record. It has also won the most number of Asian
gold medals and is the only Asian team to have won the prestigious Champions Trophy with 3 titles. It has been consistently ranked amongst the top teams in the world. Notable players include: World-Record holder Sohail Abbas
, Arshad Khan
, Mohammed Saqlain
and Waseem Ahmad
.
is another popular Sport that has a large following in Pakistan, with Pakistan dominating the Sport for a period of time. Jahangir Khan
and Jansher Khan
are considered legends of the Sport and have won several World Squash Championships and other tournaments. Pakistani players have won the Squash World Open 17 times, and British Open
12 times, the highest by any nation. Carla Khan
, one of Pakistan's most successful Sportswomen, is one of a number of men and women who represent Pakistan. The Pakistan Squash Federation is the governing body of the Sport in the country. The Pakistan Open tournament is one of the premier events of the Sport in the country. Every province of the country holds its own men's and women's championships. Some other notable players from Pakistan include: Hashim Khan
, Torsam Khan
and Qamar Zaman
.
Polo
, is believed to have originated in Central Asia
, and continues to be an important sport within the country with several large annual competitions. The Shandur
Polo Tournament, played at the world's highest pologround every June, is one of the biggest tourist draws to Chitral
and Gilgit
in Northern Pakistan. The Shandur Pass was picked as the location because, at 11,000 ft above sea level, it was seen as a ridge between heaven and hell. Key tournaments of the season are the Uprising Day tournament in early November in Gilgit, or the Pakistan Independence Day tournament in Skardu, early August. The Pakistan Polo Association (PPA) organise the sport, and the national side takes part in the Polo World Cup. Polo
is played professionally with a number of Argentine
players playing in Pakistan. Notable players include: Murad Ismail
, Raja Sami Ullah
, Raza Muhammad Ali Khan Bangash and Hissam Ali Haider
. Raza Bangash is Pakistan's No.1 Polo Player since June 2009 Playing for President's Body Guard Team.
in the TV ratings (2008 statistics). Pakistan Football Federation
(PFF) is the official organization in Pakistan. Football is played mostly on a local level, primarily in Balochistan
and Swat Valley. These areas provide most of the players on the national team
. Pakistan Football Federation Women Organizing Committee (PFFWOC) is responsible for Women's Football in Pakistan. In 2004, the Pakistan Premier League
was established and is the first division of Pakistani football. The Pakistan National Football Challenge Cup
is the national "knockout" cup competition in Pakistani football, run by the Pakistan Football Federation. The Pakistan National Women’s Football Championship
is the annual Women's Championship. Notable players include: Muhammad Essa
, Zeshan Rehman
and Haroon Yousaf
.
Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) organizes athletic tournaments in Pakistan
. Pakistani athletes compete in various athletic events. Some Pakistani Athletes have excelled in various events in the distant past including some like Ghulam Raziq, Mubarak Shah, John Permal
, Muhammad Talib, Ahmed Sajjad Cheema, Abid Hussain, Arshad Saleem, Ali Kamani and Nawaz ,Mohammad alam and Muhammad Younis are some of the athletes who got prominence at either Asian or International levels, or both, winning Golds for Pakistan. In the early decades, Pakistani’s held many Asian records including the Asian 100m and 200m record held by Abdul Khaliq. Pakistani female athletes have also represented Pakistan at international level, such as Shabana Akhtar
, who was the first Pakistani female athlete to participate at the Olympics. International events such as the Lahore Marathon
take place in the country.
Australian Rules football
Aussie Rules was established in Pakistan in 2006. The governing body is the Australian Rules Football Federation of Pakistan
. There are currently six football teams in Pakistan, all based in the Swat Valley around an educational institution. The Pakistani national side are known as the Dragoons.
Badminton
The Pakistan Badminton Federation, formed in 1953, organises the sport in Pakistan. Men's players such as Irshad Ahmad and Saeed Malik, and Women's players like Elsie Hunt and Nighat Sultana, have won a number of tournaments. Pakistan's golden era was between the 50's and 70's.
Ball Hockey
Ball Hockey is a game similar or basically the same sport as ice-hockey. The only big difference is that ball hockey is without skates and in ice hockey you need ice skates. Pakistan national ball hockey team is formed from Candadian Pakistan. So they were all born in Canda or had links from there. South Asian community was formed and the sport is growing there. Pakistan competed first time in the World Championships in 2009. They Finished 3rd out of 4 in group B only being behind Bermuda and Ice Hockey- Giants Finland.They were ahead of Cayman Islands. The next world championships they also participated and were Champions of their group after defeating France in overtime. The team is developing and getting better.
Ball badminton
The Ball Badminton Federation of Pakistan was established in 2007. Pakistani men's and women's teams participated in the first Asian Ball Badminton Championship in Amritsar
, India
from 4 to 6 October. The men's team came fourth and the women's team came second.
Baseball
In 2006, the Pakistan Baseball Federation hosted 7th Asia Baseball Championship. Pakistan won the Asian Cup in 2010 beating Hong Kong with 10-0.
Basketball
The Pakistan Amateur Basketball Federation has been part of FIBA since 1958. Six teams play in the Pakistan first division. National Women Basketball Championship is the Women's Basketball tournament.
Billiards and snooker
Snooker is one the rising sports in Pakistan, and it has been taken up by many people. There has been success at international level: Mohammed Yousuf was the 1994 IBSF World Snooker Champion and the 2006 IBSF World Masters Champion; and Shokat Ali
is the Pakistan number one and an Asian Games Gold medallist. The Pakistan Billiards Snooker Association (PBSA) was formed in 1958.
Boxing
Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) organises Boxing
matches in Pakistan
. The Pakistan Amateur Boxing Federation (PABF) organises amateur matches. Pakistan has seen success at Amateur level boxing, despite lack of necessary equipment and facilities. They have won medals at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. Quetta
born Haider Ali won gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games
as a Featherweight and went on to become a Professional Boxer. Umar Khan is the member of Pakistan Boxing Federation. He is also a member of Pakistan under 19 team and has won different titles against Malaysia and the Philippines
. He is currently the captain of Under 19 team. He has 13 gold and 10 silver medals at international level.
Bridge
Contract Bridge
was introduced in Pakistan in the 1950s. It was generally played by army officers, business executives and people of the elite group. Duplicate bridge
, which is better known as competitive bridge, was first introduced in Pakistan by Khaja Azeemuddin, a civil engineer, who started duplicate bridge after forming the 57-Club at the Nazimabad Club in Karachi
. Quickly the game spread, until most social clubs in Karachi and Lahore
had reserved spaces for contract bridge and began to hold duplicate bridge tournaments.
The Pakistan Bridge Federation (PBF), founded in 1972, is the national governing body for all competitive bridge tournaments and development in Pakistan. It became the founding member of the Bridge Federation of Africa, Asia & the Middle East (BFAAME) in 1981, which initially boasted of 22 member countries, until a separate zone was created for Africa. It is currently known as the Bridge Federation of Asia & the Middle East, and is represented as Zone 4 of the World Bridge Federation
.Zia Mahmood
is Pakistan's best player, with a number of titles.
Chess
In Pakistan, chess is played throughout the country, mostly in Moghul style which is slightly different from the international style. But the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) organises its tournaments in international style and according to the established rules. The FIDE has awarded the International Master's title to Shahzad Mirza and Mahmood Lodhi.
Canoe and kayaking
Pakistan Canoe and Kayak Federation
is the only official Governing Body of Canoe and Kayak Sports in Pakistan. the headquarters of PCKF is based in Quetta
at the Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy, the major canoe and kayaking center in Pakistan. The Junior Kayaking National Champion Mohammad Abubakar Durrani belongs to HDWSA and Pakistan Customs Canoe & Kayak team Quetta.
Caving
Pakistan Cave Research & Caving Federation
is the governing body of caving adventure sports in Pakistan. the head office of PCRCF is based in Haji Mohammad Yousaf Khan Khilji Memorial Sports Academy Quetta. There are many caves for cavers and tourists to visit it especially the Juniper Shaft Cave, the Murghagull Gharra cave, Mughall saa cave,Pir Ghaib Cave and naturally decorated cave of Pakistan. Pakistan is a member country through Hayatullah Khan Durrani
to the Union International de Spéléologie (UIS). Hayatullah Khan Durrani is Pakistan's first eminent cave explorer of international repute and founder of caving adventure sports in Pakistan.
Cycling
Pakistan Cycling Federation is the governing body of this sport in Pakistan. The Tour de Pakistan
International Cycling Race starts from Karachi and ends in Peshawar, with about 150 domestic and international cyclists taking part every year. This race is among the largest of such events in Asia, covering a distance of 1,648 km in eleven stages with four days of rest en route. Teams from WAPDA, Pakistan Army
, Pakistan Railways
and Sui Southern Gas Company, along with teams of the four provinces regularly take part in domestic and international cycling tournaments. Women's cycling also takes place in the country. Other events are the Tour of Islamabad and the MTB Tour Of The Himalayas.
Cycle polo
Pakistan Federation of Cycle Polo is the governing body of this sport in Pakistan. The goal of this organization is to represent Cycle Polo in Pakistan. Cycle Polo is already as international sport, with a large following in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, United State of America, Canada, France, Norway, United Kingdom, Ireland, Poland, Argentina and other parts of the world. There is also a desire to re-introduce Cycle Polo in the Olympic Games.
Flying disc (frisbee)
The Flying Disc Federation of Pakistan is the national federation of Pakistan. Working for the development of Flying Disc sports in Pakistan with ROSHANi ORG according to World Flying Disc Federation rules and regulations.
Equestrian (eventing)
Equestrianism had traditionally been limited to the upper-echelon of Pakistani society up until the end of the 20th century. This resulted in private sponsorship and government funding (PST) for the sport. Pakistan Eventing was launched July, 2005 in partnership with The Equestrian Federation of Pakistan (EFP) with an attempt to qualify Pakistan to its first Olympic equestrian qualification. Pakistan Eventing is not just about equestrian; it was a simple idea conceptualised by the commitment of those who supported the concept. The ultimate objective was to compete at an international level (FEI) and qualify for the Olympics.
Gymnastica
The Pakistan Gymnastics Federation has been affiliated with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) since 1958. Pakistan sends individuals and teams to international events such as the Olympics.
Golf
Pakistan has qualified for the Golf World Cup a total of 4 times; 1975, 1977, 1982 and recently in 2009 when they finished joint 22nd out of the 28 qualifying teams. The Pakistan Golf Federation
(PGF) run Golf in Pakistan. Karachi Golf Club
is one of the oldest in the country and it is where the Pakistan Open takes place. The Pakistan Open
was founded in 1967 and became an Asian Tour
event in 2006. Chris Rodgers
won the Pakistan Open in 2006. The 2007 event was held in January and had an increased prize money purse of $330,000 US. Taimur Hussain
has been Pakistan's most successful golfer, as he won the 1998 Myanmar Open, becoming the first Pakistani to win on the Asian Tour.
Handball
Handball was first played in 1984 in an exhibition event, and was taken up by the Pakistan Olympic Association. The Pakistan Amateur Handball Federation is a member of the Asia Handball Federation
.In Beach Handball Pakistan ranked 1st in Asia. Pakistan also participated in World Cup of Beach Handball in 2008. Pakistan won Gold Medal at 1st Beach Asian Games Bali Indonesia.
Ice Hockey
Pakistan has a ice hockey team but it's not the part of IIHF.Pakistan applied for a membership but the congress posttponed it until it had a better structure. It will re-apply for a membership in 2012.However Pakistan has deep roots in ice hockey in the northern parts of Gilgit Baltistan region.
Karate
Pakistan has many Karate clubs of different styles and they are holding their regular tournaments at national and regional levels. Karate is also a regular part of school sport programs. Grand Master Professor Syed Sakhawat Ali is the first and only martial art master in Pakistan who developed his unique system of Karate named Budoban having scientific approach and Olympic spirit, he also formed World Budoban Karate Federation. Due to natural talent and hard training Ghulam Ali and Saadi Abbas have won Gold medals at the SAF Games.
Nadeem Azhar Lone was technical official of 9th SAF games with Pakistan karate team. Farman Ahmed of Rawalpindi won double crown in this championship along with other karate players. Pakistan won seven Golds and one silver on first attempt in the history of any international karate tournament. After that the success story is not ended Pakistan have participated in Asian Karate championship and also won number of gold medals in karate tournament held in Iran. Pakistan Karate Federation's Mr Jahangir is striving hard to promote this sports in Pakistan.
Martial arts
Martial art is very popular in Pakistan, but there is a serious lack of proper instructors and facilities. Instructors are often fraudulent in their credentials and claims and are not qualified to teach. Despite this, Pakistan continues to produce players that earn medals in several international competitions due to their natural talents and hard working.
There are very few martial art masters in Pakistan who are internationally experienced and having good teaching skills. The top most master in Pakistan is Grand Master M. A. TAI, who has the honour of receiving President of Pakistan medal of Pride of Performance in martial art. Another name in Pakistani martial art scenario is Grand Master Professor Syed Sakhawat Ali, who has several achievements at international and national level and after deep research formulated the first Pakistani disciplined martial art style of karate namely Budoban Karate having sports scientific approach and Olympic spirit. He also established its international organization as World Budoban Karate Federation.
Motorsport
The Motorsport Association of Pakistan (MAP) is a member of the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile FIA. The Pakistan National Karting Championship was the first motor racing curcit competition in Pakistan, and is used to develop rookie drivers. The Freedom Rally is a yearly off-road race which takes place during the Independence celebrations.
Nur B. Ali
was the first Pakistani Racing driver and Co-founded the MAP. He drives in the ARCA RE/MAX Series
and is a former two-time Southwest Formula Mazda
Regional Series champion. Ali was also the driver of the A1GP Team Pakistan in 2006. Syed Ovais Naqvi is the first local and homegrown professional Pakistani Racecar Driver and he is also the first Pakistani to acquire the International B Racing license, he also co-founded the MAP and is the General Secretary of the body. Ovais was also responsible for putting together the Pakistan National Karting Championship. Omer Younas
is currently racing in the Formula BMW Pacific and Adnan Sarwar
races in Formula Rolon
. In 2005 the A1 Team Pakistan
was run by Adam Langley-Khan
, Khan returned to Team Pakistan for the 2007/08 season and remains the Team Pakistan driver. He also drives in the Euroseries 3000.
Mountaineering
With the greatest concentration of the highest peaks of the world many of them very challenging climbs, Pakistan is a prime location for skilled Mountain climbers. 5 peaks are over 8,000 meters. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) founded in 1974, is the national mountaineering and climbing federation.Chiltan Adventurers Association Balochistan
is the Major affiliated Unit of ACP founded in 1984. Nazir Sabir
, Ashraf Aman
, Lt.Col Abdul Jabbar Bhatti (Pride of Performance), Hayatullah Khan Durrani
, Col Sher Khan are Pakistan’s most experienced mountaineers.
Rope Skipping
The Rope Skipping Federation of Pakistan is a national federation working for rope skipping in Pakistan. Affiliated with the Asian Rope Skipping Federation and the International Rope Skipping Federation.
Rowing
Karachi and Quetta are the major centers of rowing in Pakistan.National Rowing Championship is the major national event of Rowing in the country. Pakistan Rowing Federation was a founding member of the Asian Rowing Federation. Although Pakistani rowers take part in events, it is considered a minority sport. Rowers like Ali Hassan & Maqbool Ali and Zohaib Zia Hashmi & Muhammad Asad Khan have won medals at international events and in International School Rowing events Junior Rowers from Balochistan Mehardil Khan Baabai and Mirwaise Khan Baabai won many Medals,
Rugby union
The Pakistan Rugby Union
was formally established in 2000 and gained memberships with the Asian Rugby Football Union in 2000. In 2003, Pakistan fielded a national team
for the first time, participating in the Provincial Tournament in Sri Lanka. In Nov of 2004, it participated in the 19th Asian championship in Hong Kong. Pakistan rugby union then became an associate member of the IRB (International Rugby Board).
There are three major clubs in Pakistan; Islamabad Rugby Football Club
(IRFC) also known as the "JINNS", Lahore Rugby Football Club
(LRFC), and Karachi Rugby Football Club (KRFC).
The latest landmark for Pakistan rugby is that universities like Lahore University of Management and Sciences (LUMS) and Bahria University Islamabad have formed teams as well.
Shooting
Shooting is a sport Pakistan frequently takes part in. Irshad Ali with one silver and two bronzes in the Commonwealth Games being one of the most successful at international level. Other prominent shooters in skeet shooting include Amin Karamat, Khurram Inam and Sultan Mehmood. Amin Karamat having participated in several international events and being the most achieving skeet shooter. He recently won the Bronze medal in Asian Clay shooting championship 2010 Bangkok, setting a record of 121/125 in the Asian Games Doha and wining team bronze in Asian Clay Shooting in 2008.
Skiing
The Ski Federation of Pakistan, created in 1990, run the sport. Despite being a country with many mountains, the sport has never taken off until the late 90's. Up until then, it was only done by the Pakistan Army. Now there have been facilities put in place so that the sport can be played, and the Ski Federation of Pakistan now sends out teams to international tournaments.
Sports Climbing
Pakistan Sports Climbing Federation is the only governing body of sports climbing activities / sports in Pakistan.the headquarter of PSCF is in Quetta
Balochistan.
Swimming
Up until recently, swimming struggled as a sport in Pakistan. But there has been a surge in interest, particularly with Rubab Raza
. She was the youngest Olympic Pakistani competitor in Pakistan's history, aged 13 at the 2004 Olympics.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is run by the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation, and it started in Pakistan during the 70's when some Korean taekwondo masters visited here and established a handful of clubs. Over the years it has spread all over the country, albeit slowly for most part. However, it seems to have enjoyed more growth than any other sport (arguably), during the last ten years.and young boys played international championships around the world.
Table tennis
The Pakistan Table Tennis Federation runs the sport in the country. Arif Khan, was ranked in the Top 60 in the late 80's, and was one of Pakistan's best players. Recently, the sport has been revitalised, with Pakistan trying to host international tournaments.
Tennis
Tennis
is also a very popular Sport and Pakistanis compete in various international events. The Pakistan Tennis Federation
(PTF) organise the game in the country. Khawaja Saeed Hai
was the first Pakistani to reach a Grand Slam
, playing at Wimbledon
, the US Open, and the French Open where he made it to the third round. Haroon Rahim
was the very successful player, he was winner of a number of ATP
Singles and Doubles titles. Lately, Aisam-ul-Haq created history in Pakistan Tennis, as he reached the finals of 2010 US Open – Men's Doubles
and 2010 US Open – Mixed Doubles
.
The Pakistan Davis Cup team
have previously reached the world group play-offs, with the help of Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi
, currently Pakistan's number one, and Aqeel Khan
, the number two. Tennis events are very rare in Pakistan and there is hardly an international tennis event, apart from ATP tournaments.
Volleyball
Volleyball is popular in the Pakistan Armed Forces. Inter-services games are played regularly, and most players of the Pakistani volleyball team are from the armed forces. This game is also gaining popularity among private school students in Karachi
.
Weightlifting
The Pakistan Amateur Weightlifting Federation was formed in 1953. Pakistan has picked up a number of medals over the years in weightlifting, Shuja-Ud-Din Malik won gold in the Men's 85 kg Combined at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Wrestling
Wrestling
has always been a popular Sport in Pakistan, with regular tournaments played locally. It has seen Pakistan win medals at international games, such as Muhammed Akhtar
, a 3 time Gold 2007. The Gama Pahalwan
was undefeated World Wrestling Champion from Pakistan
. Gama Pahalwan
's nephew Bholu Pahalwan
also represented Pakistan
.
Yachting and Sailing
Pakistan Sailing Federation is the national body, with Karachi and Balochistan Sailing/Yachting Association's as its major units. Byram Dinshawji Avari
represented Pakistan
at the 1978 Asian Games
in Bangkok
and again at the 1982 Asian Games
in New Delhi
. He also won a silver medal at the Enterprise World Championship held in Canada
in 1978. In 2004 Mohammad Tanveer of Pakistan won silver medal in Mistral Asian Championship held in Bombay.Shazli Tahir won silver and Junaid Ahmed won bronze medal in 1st CAS International Sailing Championship in April 2008.
Gulli Danda
Gulli Danda is an traditional game in Pakistan
and it was introduced in Asia
and most famous game in India (subcontinent) and Pakistan
. This game is mostly play in villages.
asian beach games; najeeb ullah khan won bronze medal
Squash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
and Hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
, Cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
is the by far the most popular sport in Pakistan, and they have been considered the most dominant country in the sport of cricket, with numerous records under. Traditional sports like Kabaddi
Kabaddi
Kabaddi is a South Asian team sport...
and other well known games are also played. The Pakistan Sports Board
Pakistan Sports Board
Pakistan Sports Board is a department of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for promoting and developing standards of sports throughout Pakistan....
was created in 1962 by the Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education (Pakistan)
The Ministry of Education, also referred as MEd, is a Cabinet-leveled ministry of the Government of Pakistan. The ministry's political figure is known as Education Minister of Pakistan, and Parliamentarian Sardar Asif Ahmad Ali is the current Federal Education Minister of Pakistan while Mr. Ghulam...
as a corporate body for the purposes of promoting and developing uniform standards of competition in sports in Pakistan comparable to the standards prevailing internationally, and regulating and controlling sports in Pakistan on a national basis. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, now has control over the Pakistan Sports Board
Pakistan Sports Board
Pakistan Sports Board is a department of Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for promoting and developing standards of sports throughout Pakistan....
. The PSB controls all 39 Sporting Federations. The Pakistan Sports Board is support by the Pakistan Sports Trust which assists hard up players and associations so they can continue participating in sports.
Over recent years there has been an increase in sporting activity in Pakistan, with Pakistani sportsmen and women participating at many national and international events. Also, more international tournaments now take place in Pakistan. The size of the teams Pakistan sends, and the number of events they participate in the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
, Asian Games
Asian Games
The Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
, World Games
World Games
The World Games, first held in 1981, are an international multi-sport event, meant for sports, or disciplines or events within a sport, that are not contested in the Olympic Games...
and Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
has increased since the turn of the century.
National participation
Muhammad Ali JinnahMuhammad Ali Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a Muslim lawyer, politician, statesman and the founder of Pakistan. He is popularly and officially known in Pakistan as Quaid-e-Azam and Baba-e-Qaum ....
, the founder of Pakistan, had a great love for sport and fully released the vital role it played in the development of Nations and inculcation of discipline among the masses. In a meeting with the Organizing Committee of the First Pakistan Olympic Games held at Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
Jinnah said to the first President of Pakistan Olympic Association
Pakistan Olympic Association
Pakistan Olympic Association is the National Olympic Committee of Pakistan. The association was established in 1948 to oversee the active participation of the newly independent state at the Olympiad. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the first Governor-General of the country also became the patron-in-chief of...
Mr. Ahmed E.H.
"Dedicate yourself to sports promotion, for when you and I are gone, leadership will go into the hands of Youth, and Youth is our wealth, a raw material, that must be hammered into shape, into burnished steel to strive and smite in defence - the defence of the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan - the defence of the ideology of Pakistan."
The first National Games were held at Polo Ground, Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
from 23 to 25 April 1948. Sportsmen and officials from East Pakistan
East Pakistan
East Pakistan was a provincial state of Pakistan established in 14 August 1947. The provincial state existed until its declaration of independence on 26 March 1971 as the independent nation of Bangladesh. Pakistan recognized the new nation on 16 December 1971. East Pakistan was created from Bengal...
(now Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
) and all the integrated Provincial units of West Pakistan
West Pakistan
West Pakistan , common name West-Pakistan , in the period between its establishment on 22 November 1955 to disintegration on December 16, 1971. This period, during which, Pakistan was divided, ended when East-Pakistan was disintegrated and succeeded to become which is now what is known as Bangladesh...
took part in these Games. The total number of athletes was 140. No competitors were, however, invited from any foreign country. Competitions were held in track and field athletics, basketball, boxing, cycling, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling.
Over the years, Pakistan has been held back due to the lack of funds placed in sports. Many facilities are of substandard, this has seen Pakistan fall behind other nations. In the early years, the young state would be able to compete, with many success, but during the late 70's with the government not investing in sports, the country no longer could compete.
However, since the late 90's, this trend has changed. Money is now being placed into sports, and many of the federations are now managed by people who are trying to push Pakistani sportsmen and women forward. International tournaments are now hosted in the country, and the nation now sends sportsmen and women to compete abroad. There have also been restructuring of national tournaments, and new facilities and equipment being provided. This has seen overall results improve.So in other words, you can say that baseball is a popular sport in Pakistan, because it is a sport.
On March 3, 2009, 12 militants with guns
Güns
Güns or Guens may refer to:* Kőszeg, Hungary * Kőszeg Mountains, Hungary * Akiva Güns , birth name of Akiva Eger, a Hungarian-Polish rabbi- See also :* Guns * Gün, a surname...
, grenades, and rocket launchers attacked a bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
carrying the Sri Lankan cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
team to a match at Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
's Gaddafi Stadium
Gaddafi Stadium
Gaddafi Stadium is a cricket ground in Lahore, Pakistan. It was designed by Daghestani-born architect and engineer Nasreddin Murat-Khan who also designed Lahore's Minar-e-Pakistan and constructed by Mian Abdul Khaliq and Company in 1959. Following the ground's renovation for the 1996 Cricket World...
in Pakistan. Six Pakistani policemen escorting the team and two civilians were killed while seven Sri Lankan players and an assistant coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
were injured. Since the terrorist attacks, no foreign cricket teams have competed in Pakistan. A month after the attack on the Sri Lankan team, the International Cricket Council
International Cricket Council
The International Cricket Council is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.The...
relieved Pakistan of co-hosting duty for any 2011 World Cup
Cricket World Cup
The ICC Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of men's One Day International cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council , with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament which is held every four years...
games. Pakistan has tried to make the best of the situation by offering to host its "home" matches on neutral territory
Neutral territory
A neutral territory is a territory that is not an integral part of any state , and yet is not terra nullius, but is the object of an agreement under international law between at least two parties...
in the United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
.
Cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
has a huge following and based on attendance figures at games.Almost all districts and neighborhoods in Pakistan have a cricket team and people start playing from a young age. Pakistan has won international cricket events which include the 1992 Cricket World Cup
1992 Cricket World Cup
-New Zealand:-Round Robin Stage:Co-hosts New Zealand proved the surprise packet of the tournament, winning their first seven games to finish on top of the table after the round robin. The other hosts, Australia, were one of the pre-tournament favourites but lost their first two matches. They...
and the 2009 ICC World Twenty20
2009 ICC World Twenty20
The 2009 ICC World Twenty20 was an international Twenty20 cricket tournament which took place in England in June 2009. It was the second ICC World Twenty20 tournament, following the inaugural event in South Africa in September 2007...
, besides finishing as runner up in 1999 World Cup
1999 Cricket World Cup
-England:-Outside England:-Group A:-Results:-------------------------------------------------------------Group B:-Results:------------------------------------------------------------...
and 2007 World Twenty20. Pakistan's cricket teams take part in domestic competitions such as the ABN AMRO Cup, the ABN-AMRO Patron's Trophy, ABN-AMRO Twenty-20
Twenty20
Twenty20 is a form of cricket, originally introduced in England for professional inter-county competition by the England and Wales Cricket Board , in 2003. A Twenty20 game involves two teams, each has a single innings, batting for a maximum of 20 overs. Twenty20 cricket is also known as T20 cricket...
Cup, and the ABN-AMRO Champions Trophy. International test and one-day matches are played between the Pakistan national team and foreign opponents regularly. The Pakistan Cricket Board
Pakistan Cricket Board
The Pakistan Cricket Board is a sporting organization that is responsible for governing all professional cricket including Test cricket and One Day International matches played in Pakistan...
controls both the men’s and women’s games. Women's Cricket
Women's cricket
Women's cricket is the form of the team sport of cricket that is played by women.-History:The first recorded match of women's cricket was reported in The Reading Mercury on 26 July 1745, a match contested "between eleven maids of Bramley and eleven maids of Hambledon, all dressed in white." The...
is also very popular, with Kiran Baluch
Kiran Baluch
Kiran Maqsood Baluch is a female Pakistani cricketer.-References:...
holding the current record of the highest score in a women's test match with her 242. Notable Cricketers from Pakistan include: Aaqib Javed
Aaqib Javed
Aaqib Javed is a Pakistani cricketer and coach. He was a right-handed medium-fast pace bowler with the ability to swing the ball both ways. He played 22 Tests and 163 One Day Internationals for Pakistan between 1988 and 1998.He was educated at Islamia College Lahore.Aaqib's best performances in...
, Ramiz Raja, Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar is a former Pakistani right arm fast bowler in cricket, who is regarded as the fastest bowler in the history of cricket. He set an official world record by achieving the fastest delivery, when he clocked in at 161.3 km/h in his bowling speed, twice at a cricket match against...
, Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram is a former Pakistani left arm fast bowler and left-handed batsman in cricketer and model. who represented the Pakistan national cricket team in Test cricket and One Day International matches....
, Zaheer Abbas
Zaheer Abbas
Syed Zaheer Abbas Kirmani , popularly known as Zaheer Abbas, is a former Pakistani cricketer, regarded as one of the finest batsman produced by that country. He is widely known as the "Asian Bradman", a reference to former Australian great Sir Donald Bradman...
, Javed Miandad
Javed Miandad
Mohammad Javed Miandad Khan , popularly known as Javed Miandad , is a former Pakistani cricketer who played between 1975 and 1996. He is Pakistan's leading run scorer in Test cricket. He has served as a captain of the Pakistan national cricket team...
, Saeed Anwar
Saeed Anwar
Saeed Anwar is a former Pakistani opening batsman. A left-hander, Anwar is most notable for scoring 194 runs against India in Chennai in 1997, then the highest, and now the joint second highest individual score in a One Day International.-Personal life:...
, Muhammad Yousaf, Inzamam-ul-Haq
Inzamam-ul-Haq
Inzamam-ul-Haq , also known as Inzamam, nicknamed Inzy, is a former Pakistan international cricketer who was national captain between 2003 and 2007. He is a right-handed batsman who has been regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of his era...
, Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis Maitla is a former Pakistani right arm fast bowler in cricket and widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time...
, Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi
Sahibzada Mohammad Shahid Khan Afridi , popularly known as Shahid Afridi , is a Pakistani cricketer. Between 1996 and 2011, Afridi played 27 Tests, 325 One Day Internationals, and 43 Twenty20 Internationals for the Pakistani national team...
, Muhammad Brothers and
Imran Khan
Imran Khan
Imran Khan Niazi is a Pakistani politician and former Pakistani cricketer, playing international cricket for two decades in the late twentieth century. After retiring, he entered politics...
. Imran Khan is turned to politics, married to Jemima Khan
Jemima Khan
Jemima Marcelle Khan is a British writer and campaigner. She is associate editor of the New Statesman and European editor-at-large for Vanity Fair. She has worked as a charity fundraiser, human rights campaigner and contributing writer for British newspapers and magazines...
is named in ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
ICC Cricket Hall of Fame
The ICC Cricket Hall of Fame "recognises the achievements of the legends of the game from cricket's long and illustrious history". A hall of fame, it was launched by the International Cricket Council on 2 January 2009, in association with the Federation of International Cricketers'...
, Saeed Anwar 194 runs against Indian Cricket Team held the record of most runs by a batsman for 11 years Untill Indian Batsman Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is an Indian cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He is the leading run-scorer and century maker in Test and one-day international cricket. He is the only male player to score a double century in the history of ODI cricket...
broke that record by making 200 against SouthAfrica in 2010 , Shoaib Akhtar holds the record of delivering the fastest bowl in history of Cricket, Shahid Afridi holds numerous record i.e. Fastest Century in ODIs, Wasim Akram on the time of retirement had most wickets in ODIs, Muhammad Yousuf scored most Test runs in Calender year.
Field Hockey
The Pakistan Hockey FederationPakistan Hockey Federation
The Pakistan Hockey Federation is the national governing body for field hockey in Pakistan. It is affiliated to the International Hockey Federation .The current PHF president is Qasim Zia.- History :...
(PHF) is the national governing body of field hockey in Pakistan. The Pakistan Hockey Federation Women Wing (PHFWW) is the official organization of Women's Field Hockey in Pakistan. The Pakistan men's team
Pakistan national field hockey team
The Pakistan National Field Hockey Team also known as the Green Shirts represent the Pakistan Hockey Federation in international field hockey competitions. Field Hockey is the national sport of Pakistan...
has won 3 gold medals at the Olympics
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
and lifted the Hockey World Cup
Hockey World Cup
The Hockey World Cup is an international field hockey competition organised by the International Hockey Federation . The tournament was started in 1971...
4 times, a World Record. It has also won the most number of Asian
Asian Games
The Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
gold medals and is the only Asian team to have won the prestigious Champions Trophy with 3 titles. It has been consistently ranked amongst the top teams in the world. Notable players include: World-Record holder Sohail Abbas
Sohail Abbas
Sohail Abbas is a field hockey defender and penalty corner specialist from Pakistan. He is the highest scorer of goals in Hockey breaking Dhyan Chand's record 274 goals for the most goals scored in international competition, with his current goal tally at 328...
, Arshad Khan
Arshad Khan
Arshad Khan is a Pakistani cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm off break bowler....
, Mohammed Saqlain
Mohammed Saqlain
Mohammed Saqlain is a field hockey player. He plays centre half and is one of the most feared players in the world of his sport...
and Waseem Ahmad
Waseem Ahmad
Waseem Ahmad is a Pakistan field hockey player and ex- captain of Pakistan hockey team...
.
Squash
SquashSquash (sport)
Squash is a high-speed racquet sport played by two players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow rubber ball...
is another popular Sport that has a large following in Pakistan, with Pakistan dominating the Sport for a period of time. Jahangir Khan
Jahangir Khan
Jahangir Khan, HI, is a former World No. 1 professional squash player from Pakistan, who is considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the game. During his career he won the World Open six times and the British Open a record ten times...
and Jansher Khan
Jansher Khan
Jansher Khan is a former World No. 1 professional squash player from Pakistan, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest squash players of all time. During his career he won the World Open a record eight times, and the British Open six times.Jansher is of Peshwari ethnicity. He came from...
are considered legends of the Sport and have won several World Squash Championships and other tournaments. Pakistani players have won the Squash World Open 17 times, and British Open
British Open Squash Championships
The British Open Squash Championships is the oldest and most established tournament in the game of squash. It is widely considered to be one of the two most prestigious tournaments in the game, alongside the World Open The British...
12 times, the highest by any nation. Carla Khan
Carla Khan
Carla Khan born 18 August 1981 in London) is a Pakistani professional squash player and is the granddaughter of Azam Khan, one of the legends of squash in Pakistan and daughter of Jacqui Stoter and Wasil Khan. She started playing squash in England at age 12...
, one of Pakistan's most successful Sportswomen, is one of a number of men and women who represent Pakistan. The Pakistan Squash Federation is the governing body of the Sport in the country. The Pakistan Open tournament is one of the premier events of the Sport in the country. Every province of the country holds its own men's and women's championships. Some other notable players from Pakistan include: Hashim Khan
Hashim Khan
Hashim Khan is a former squash player from Pakistan. He won the British Open seven times between 1951 and 1958.Hashim Khan was born in Nawakille , a small village near Peshawar, in British India to an ethnic Pashtun family. The year of his birth is usually reported as 1916, though this has been...
, Torsam Khan
Torsam Khan
Torsam Khan was a squash player from Pakistan. He was the son of the 1957 British Open champion Roshan Khan, and the older brother of Jahangir Khan, who went on to become arguably the greatest squash player of all-time. Torsam was groomed as a squash player by his father. In 1979, Torsam reached a...
and Qamar Zaman
Qamar Zaman
Qamar Zaman is a former squash player from Pakistan. He was one of the leading players in the game in the 1970s and 1980s. His biggest triumph was winning the British Open in 1975....
.
Polo
Polo
Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
, is believed to have originated in Central Asia
Central Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
, and continues to be an important sport within the country with several large annual competitions. The Shandur
Shandur
Shandur Top located in District Ghizer of Gilgit-Baltistan.Shandur-Top in Ghizer is often called the 'Roof of the World' where the Hindukush in Gilgit-Baltistan, Between Afghanistan and Gilgit-Baltistan and Karakorum mountainous ranges of Gilgit-Baltistan meet. The top is flat, a plateau and can...
Polo Tournament, played at the world's highest pologround every June, is one of the biggest tourist draws to Chitral
Chitral
Chitral or Chetrar , translated as field in the native language Khowar, is the capital of the Chitral District, situated on the western bank of the Kunar River , in Pakistan. The town is at the foot of Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush, high...
and Gilgit
Gilgit
Gilgit is a city in northern PakistanGilgit may refer to other terms related with the area of the city:* Gilgit River* Gilgit Valley* Gilgit District* Gilgit Agency * Gilgit Airport...
in Northern Pakistan. The Shandur Pass was picked as the location because, at 11,000 ft above sea level, it was seen as a ridge between heaven and hell. Key tournaments of the season are the Uprising Day tournament in early November in Gilgit, or the Pakistan Independence Day tournament in Skardu, early August. The Pakistan Polo Association (PPA) organise the sport, and the national side takes part in the Polo World Cup. Polo
Polo
Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
is played professionally with a number of Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
players playing in Pakistan. Notable players include: Murad Ismail
Murad Ismail
Murad Ismail is a Pakistani polo player.Murad has been playing polo in Florida, USA for the last two decades. Highest handicap achieved by Murad is +4 goals. Murad is still a Pakistani national and continues to return to support polo in Pakistan.He started polo in 1978 in Rawalpindi...
, Raja Sami Ullah
Raja Sami Ullah
Raja Sami Ullah is a Pakistani polo player.Raja won a scholarship to play Polo in Argentina, and quickly became a 4 goal handicap player. He currently lives in Rawalpindi and plays for the Rawalpindi Polo Club.-External links:*...
, Raza Muhammad Ali Khan Bangash and Hissam Ali Haider
Hissam Ali Haider
Hissam Ali Haider born march 07, 1982 in Lahore, is a Pakistani polo player with a 6 goal handicap.Hissam, who everybody knows as "namoo", learnt how to play polo from his father Irfan Ali Haider, who was a +4 goal player...
. Raza Bangash is Pakistan's No.1 Polo Player since June 2009 Playing for President's Body Guard Team.
Football
Football is the second most popular Sport in Pakistan. Football has also enjoyed a powerful growth as a spectator Sport in Pakistan since the 1990s and is slowly catching up to CricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
in the TV ratings (2008 statistics). Pakistan Football Federation
Pakistan Football Federation
The Pakistan Football Federation is the governing body of football in Pakistan. The PFF’s headquarters is at FIFA Football House in Lahore, Punjab near the Punjab Stadium.-Overview:...
(PFF) is the official organization in Pakistan. Football is played mostly on a local level, primarily in Balochistan
Balochistan (Pakistan)
Balochistan is one of the four provinces or federating units of Pakistan. With an area of 134,051 mi2 or , it is the largest province of Pakistan, constituting approximately 44% of the total land mass of Pakistan. According to the 1998 population census, Balochistan had a population of...
and Swat Valley. These areas provide most of the players on the national team
Pakistan national football team
The Pakistan national football team is controlled by the Pakistan Football Federation and is a member of the Asian Football Confederation . The team has not yet qualified for either the FIFA World Cup or Asian Cup championships. Twice they have finished third in the South Asian Football Federation...
. Pakistan Football Federation Women Organizing Committee (PFFWOC) is responsible for Women's Football in Pakistan. In 2004, the Pakistan Premier League
Pakistan Premier League
The Pakistan Premier League is the first division of Pakistani football. It was established in 2004, in place of the National Championship by the Pakistan Football Federation.-Origins:...
was established and is the first division of Pakistani football. The Pakistan National Football Challenge Cup
Pakistan National Football Challenge Cup
The Pakistan National Football Challenge Cup is the national "knockout" cup competition in Pakistani football, run by the Pakistan Football Federation. It was created in 2005 in place of the PFF President's Cup...
is the national "knockout" cup competition in Pakistani football, run by the Pakistan Football Federation. The Pakistan National Women’s Football Championship
Pakistan National Women’s Football Championship
Pakistan National Women’s Football Championship was created in 2005 by the PFF to bring competitive women's football to Pakistan.-Champions:The list of finals:*G : denotes invited Guest team-External links:**...
is the annual Women's Championship. Notable players include: Muhammad Essa
Muhammad Essa
Muhammad Essa Khan is a Pakistani footballer playing currently for KRL FC. The striker is also the captain of Pakistan national football team and is one of the most talented football players Pakistan has seen in recent times...
, Zeshan Rehman
Zeshan Rehman
Zeshan "Zesh" Rehman is a British Pakistani football defender who plays for Muangthong United in the Thai Premier League. He was the first British Asian to start a Premier League match and is the first to have played in all four divisions of professional football in England...
and Haroon Yousaf
Haroon Yousaf
Haroon Yousaf was born on 10 November 1973 in Mandi Bahauddin.He was the former Pakistan national football team Captain and was capped 53 times and scored 3 goals in his international career. The versatile footballer played as a defender or midfielder....
.
Other Sports
AthleticsAthletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) organizes athletic tournaments in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Pakistani athletes compete in various athletic events. Some Pakistani Athletes have excelled in various events in the distant past including some like Ghulam Raziq, Mubarak Shah, John Permal
John Permal
John Permal was born in Karachi, Pakistan, on May 31, 1946. He got his primary education from St. Anthony’s School in Karachi, and then St. Patrick’s from where he completed school. Permal used to sprint from his home in Saddar, Karachi, to his school, Saint Patrick's every morning...
, Muhammad Talib, Ahmed Sajjad Cheema, Abid Hussain, Arshad Saleem, Ali Kamani and Nawaz ,Mohammad alam and Muhammad Younis are some of the athletes who got prominence at either Asian or International levels, or both, winning Golds for Pakistan. In the early decades, Pakistani’s held many Asian records including the Asian 100m and 200m record held by Abdul Khaliq. Pakistani female athletes have also represented Pakistan at international level, such as Shabana Akhtar
Shabana Akhtar
Shabana Akhtar is an Olympic athlete from Pakistan. She became Pakistan's first female to compete at an Olympics when she took part in the women's long jump at the 1996 Olympics....
, who was the first Pakistani female athlete to participate at the Olympics. International events such as the Lahore Marathon
Lahore Marathon
The Lahore Marathon is an annual road marathon held in Lahore, Pakistan since 2005. The main event is the traditional 42.195 km marathon race. Other races in the marathon include a 10 km race, 5 km "Family Fun Run", and 3 km races for people with physical and visual impairment...
take place in the country.
Australian Rules football
Aussie Rules was established in Pakistan in 2006. The governing body is the Australian Rules Football Federation of Pakistan
Australian Rules Football Federation of Pakistan
Australian rules football has been played in Pakistan since 2006, starting with the creation of the Australian Rules Football Federation of Pakistan, based in the Swat Valley city of Mingora...
. There are currently six football teams in Pakistan, all based in the Swat Valley around an educational institution. The Pakistani national side are known as the Dragoons.
Badminton
The Pakistan Badminton Federation, formed in 1953, organises the sport in Pakistan. Men's players such as Irshad Ahmad and Saeed Malik, and Women's players like Elsie Hunt and Nighat Sultana, have won a number of tournaments. Pakistan's golden era was between the 50's and 70's.
Ball Hockey
Ball Hockey is a game similar or basically the same sport as ice-hockey. The only big difference is that ball hockey is without skates and in ice hockey you need ice skates. Pakistan national ball hockey team is formed from Candadian Pakistan. So they were all born in Canda or had links from there. South Asian community was formed and the sport is growing there. Pakistan competed first time in the World Championships in 2009. They Finished 3rd out of 4 in group B only being behind Bermuda and Ice Hockey- Giants Finland.They were ahead of Cayman Islands. The next world championships they also participated and were Champions of their group after defeating France in overtime. The team is developing and getting better.
Ball badminton
The Ball Badminton Federation of Pakistan was established in 2007. Pakistani men's and women's teams participated in the first Asian Ball Badminton Championship in Amritsar
Amritsar
Amritsar is a city in the northern part of India and is the administrative headquarters of Amritsar district in the state of Punjab, India. The 2001 Indian census reported the population of the city to be over 1,500,000, with that of the entire district numbering 3,695,077...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
from 4 to 6 October. The men's team came fourth and the women's team came second.
Baseball
In 2006, the Pakistan Baseball Federation hosted 7th Asia Baseball Championship. Pakistan won the Asian Cup in 2010 beating Hong Kong with 10-0.
Basketball
The Pakistan Amateur Basketball Federation has been part of FIBA since 1958. Six teams play in the Pakistan first division. National Women Basketball Championship is the Women's Basketball tournament.
Billiards and snooker
Snooker is one the rising sports in Pakistan, and it has been taken up by many people. There has been success at international level: Mohammed Yousuf was the 1994 IBSF World Snooker Champion and the 2006 IBSF World Masters Champion; and Shokat Ali
Shokat Ali
Shokat Ali is an English snooker player of Pakistani descent, who represents Pakistan in international tournaments. Ali turned professional in 1991, but his best performance in professional competition came ten years later in the 2001 Thailand Masters where he reached the quarter-fnals, beating...
is the Pakistan number one and an Asian Games Gold medallist. The Pakistan Billiards Snooker Association (PBSA) was formed in 1958.
Boxing
Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) organises Boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
matches in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. The Pakistan Amateur Boxing Federation (PABF) organises amateur matches. Pakistan has seen success at Amateur level boxing, despite lack of necessary equipment and facilities. They have won medals at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games. Quetta
Quetta
is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the...
born Haider Ali won gold at the 2002 Commonwealth Games
2002 Commonwealth Games
The 2002 Commonwealth Games were held in Manchester, England from 25 July to 4 August 2002. The XVII Commonwealth Games was the largest multi-sport event ever to be held in the UK, eclipsing London's 1948 Summer Olympics in numbers of teams and athletes participating.After the 1996 Manchester...
as a Featherweight and went on to become a Professional Boxer. Umar Khan is the member of Pakistan Boxing Federation. He is also a member of Pakistan under 19 team and has won different titles against Malaysia and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. He is currently the captain of Under 19 team. He has 13 gold and 10 silver medals at international level.
Bridge
Contract Bridge
Contract bridge
Contract bridge, usually known simply as bridge, is a trick-taking card game using a standard deck of 52 playing cards played by four players in two competing partnerships with partners sitting opposite each other around a small table...
was introduced in Pakistan in the 1950s. It was generally played by army officers, business executives and people of the elite group. Duplicate bridge
Duplicate bridge
Duplicate bridge is the most widely used variation of contract bridge in club and tournament play. It is called duplicate because the same bridge deal is played at each table and scoring is based on relative performance...
, which is better known as competitive bridge, was first introduced in Pakistan by Khaja Azeemuddin, a civil engineer, who started duplicate bridge after forming the 57-Club at the Nazimabad Club in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
. Quickly the game spread, until most social clubs in Karachi and Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
had reserved spaces for contract bridge and began to hold duplicate bridge tournaments.
The Pakistan Bridge Federation (PBF), founded in 1972, is the national governing body for all competitive bridge tournaments and development in Pakistan. It became the founding member of the Bridge Federation of Africa, Asia & the Middle East (BFAAME) in 1981, which initially boasted of 22 member countries, until a separate zone was created for Africa. It is currently known as the Bridge Federation of Asia & the Middle East, and is represented as Zone 4 of the World Bridge Federation
World Bridge Federation
The World Bridge Federation is the world governing body of contract bridge. The WBF is responsible for world championship competition, most of which is conducted at a few multi-event meets on a four-year cycle...
.Zia Mahmood
Zia Mahmood
Zia Mahmood is a Pakistani professional bridge player. He is a World Bridge Federation and American Contract Bridge League Grand Life Master. He has a knack for bringing out the best in his partners and is regarded as one of the greatest players of the game...
is Pakistan's best player, with a number of titles.
Chess
In Pakistan, chess is played throughout the country, mostly in Moghul style which is slightly different from the international style. But the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP) organises its tournaments in international style and according to the established rules. The FIDE has awarded the International Master's title to Shahzad Mirza and Mahmood Lodhi.
Canoe and kayaking
Pakistan Canoe and Kayak Federation
Pakistan Canoe and Kayak Federation
Pakistan Canoe and Kayak Federation پاکستان کانو و کایاک فدراسیون found on 23rd March Pakistan-day 2009 is the only official Governing Body of National Federation for Canoe and Kayak Sports in Pakistan to the promotion of canoe and kayak paddlers Sports events / activities in the Country on...
is the only official Governing Body of Canoe and Kayak Sports in Pakistan. the headquarters of PCKF is based in Quetta
Quetta
is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the...
at the Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy, the major canoe and kayaking center in Pakistan. The Junior Kayaking National Champion Mohammad Abubakar Durrani belongs to HDWSA and Pakistan Customs Canoe & Kayak team Quetta.
Caving
Pakistan Cave Research & Caving Federation
Pakistan Cave Research & Caving Federation
The Pakistan Cave Research & Caving Federation. PCRCF formed in 14th August 1997 is non-profit National constituent Governing body for Underground Exploration, research, and conservation of caves in Pakistan and adjacent areas...
is the governing body of caving adventure sports in Pakistan. the head office of PCRCF is based in Haji Mohammad Yousaf Khan Khilji Memorial Sports Academy Quetta. There are many caves for cavers and tourists to visit it especially the Juniper Shaft Cave, the Murghagull Gharra cave, Mughall saa cave,Pir Ghaib Cave and naturally decorated cave of Pakistan. Pakistan is a member country through Hayatullah Khan Durrani
Hayatullah Khan Durrani
Hayatullah Khan Durrani is a Pakistani cave explorer, mountaineer, environmentalist, organizer, and a rescuer. He is also a part-time sports anchor actor in Pakistani Television shows. He played a significant role in the promotion of mountaineering and caving adventure sports in Pakistan,...
to the Union International de Spéléologie (UIS). Hayatullah Khan Durrani is Pakistan's first eminent cave explorer of international repute and founder of caving adventure sports in Pakistan.
Cycling
Pakistan Cycling Federation is the governing body of this sport in Pakistan. The Tour de Pakistan
Tour de Pakistan
The Tour de Pakistan is a bicycle race held in Pakistan roughly every two years over more than .It is modelled after the Tour de France. The race begins in Karachi and ends inPeshawar. It is the longest cycling race in Asia...
International Cycling Race starts from Karachi and ends in Peshawar, with about 150 domestic and international cyclists taking part every year. This race is among the largest of such events in Asia, covering a distance of 1,648 km in eleven stages with four days of rest en route. Teams from WAPDA, Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
, Pakistan Railways
Pakistan Railways
This article is about the rail company in Pakistan. For technical details and operations see: Transport in Pakistan.Pakistan Railways is a national state-owned rail transport service of Pakistan, head-quartered in Lahore. It is administered by the federal government under the Ministry of Railways....
and Sui Southern Gas Company, along with teams of the four provinces regularly take part in domestic and international cycling tournaments. Women's cycling also takes place in the country. Other events are the Tour of Islamabad and the MTB Tour Of The Himalayas.
- Tour de Pakistan 2008
Cycle polo
Pakistan Federation of Cycle Polo is the governing body of this sport in Pakistan. The goal of this organization is to represent Cycle Polo in Pakistan. Cycle Polo is already as international sport, with a large following in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, United State of America, Canada, France, Norway, United Kingdom, Ireland, Poland, Argentina and other parts of the world. There is also a desire to re-introduce Cycle Polo in the Olympic Games.
Flying disc (frisbee)
The Flying Disc Federation of Pakistan is the national federation of Pakistan. Working for the development of Flying Disc sports in Pakistan with ROSHANi ORG according to World Flying Disc Federation rules and regulations.
Equestrian (eventing)
Equestrianism had traditionally been limited to the upper-echelon of Pakistani society up until the end of the 20th century. This resulted in private sponsorship and government funding (PST) for the sport. Pakistan Eventing was launched July, 2005 in partnership with The Equestrian Federation of Pakistan (EFP) with an attempt to qualify Pakistan to its first Olympic equestrian qualification. Pakistan Eventing is not just about equestrian; it was a simple idea conceptualised by the commitment of those who supported the concept. The ultimate objective was to compete at an international level (FEI) and qualify for the Olympics.
Gymnastica
The Pakistan Gymnastics Federation has been affiliated with the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) since 1958. Pakistan sends individuals and teams to international events such as the Olympics.
Golf
Pakistan has qualified for the Golf World Cup a total of 4 times; 1975, 1977, 1982 and recently in 2009 when they finished joint 22nd out of the 28 qualifying teams. The Pakistan Golf Federation
Pakistan Golf Federation
The Pakistan Golf Federation, also known as the PGF, is Pakistani national association of golf courses, clubs and facilities and the governing body of golf for Pakistan....
(PGF) run Golf in Pakistan. Karachi Golf Club
Karachi Golf Club
The Karachi Golf Club, is a golf course situated in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. The 27-hole golf course is the oldest golf club in Pakistan.The course was turfed, landscaped, and filled with greenery, making it one of the largest green areas in Karachi...
is one of the oldest in the country and it is where the Pakistan Open takes place. The Pakistan Open
Pakistan Open
The Pakistan Open is a golf tournament organised by the Pakistan Golf Federation that was first played in 1967. In 2006 and 2007 was part of the Asian Tour schedule....
was founded in 1967 and became an Asian Tour
Asian Tour
The Asian Tour is the principal men's professional golf tour in Asia except for Japan, which has its own Japan Golf Tour, which is also a full member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. The Asian Tour is administered from offices in Singapore...
event in 2006. Chris Rodgers
Chris Rodgers
Chris Rodgers is an English professional golfer.Rodgers turned professional in 2000. He currently plays mainly on the Asian Tour and in 2005 he moved to Bangkok. His first Asian Tour win came at the 2006 Pakistan Open. In 2003 he won twice on the Elite Tour, a developmental tour based in the...
won the Pakistan Open in 2006. The 2007 event was held in January and had an increased prize money purse of $330,000 US. Taimur Hussain
Taimur Hussain
Taimur Hussain is a Pakistani professional golfer. In 1998 he became the first Pakistani to win on the Asian Tour when he captured the Myanmar Open.-Asian Tour wins :- External links :*...
has been Pakistan's most successful golfer, as he won the 1998 Myanmar Open, becoming the first Pakistani to win on the Asian Tour.
Handball
Handball was first played in 1984 in an exhibition event, and was taken up by the Pakistan Olympic Association. The Pakistan Amateur Handball Federation is a member of the Asia Handball Federation
Asia Handball Federation
The Asian Handball Federation, often referred to by the acronym AHF, is the administrative and controlling body for Asian team handball. It represents the national handball associations of Asia.- Disputes :...
.In Beach Handball Pakistan ranked 1st in Asia. Pakistan also participated in World Cup of Beach Handball in 2008. Pakistan won Gold Medal at 1st Beach Asian Games Bali Indonesia.
Ice Hockey
Pakistan has a ice hockey team but it's not the part of IIHF.Pakistan applied for a membership but the congress posttponed it until it had a better structure. It will re-apply for a membership in 2012.However Pakistan has deep roots in ice hockey in the northern parts of Gilgit Baltistan region.
Karate
Pakistan has many Karate clubs of different styles and they are holding their regular tournaments at national and regional levels. Karate is also a regular part of school sport programs. Grand Master Professor Syed Sakhawat Ali is the first and only martial art master in Pakistan who developed his unique system of Karate named Budoban having scientific approach and Olympic spirit, he also formed World Budoban Karate Federation. Due to natural talent and hard training Ghulam Ali and Saadi Abbas have won Gold medals at the SAF Games.
Nadeem Azhar Lone was technical official of 9th SAF games with Pakistan karate team. Farman Ahmed of Rawalpindi won double crown in this championship along with other karate players. Pakistan won seven Golds and one silver on first attempt in the history of any international karate tournament. After that the success story is not ended Pakistan have participated in Asian Karate championship and also won number of gold medals in karate tournament held in Iran. Pakistan Karate Federation's Mr Jahangir is striving hard to promote this sports in Pakistan.
Martial arts
Martial art is very popular in Pakistan, but there is a serious lack of proper instructors and facilities. Instructors are often fraudulent in their credentials and claims and are not qualified to teach. Despite this, Pakistan continues to produce players that earn medals in several international competitions due to their natural talents and hard working.
There are very few martial art masters in Pakistan who are internationally experienced and having good teaching skills. The top most master in Pakistan is Grand Master M. A. TAI, who has the honour of receiving President of Pakistan medal of Pride of Performance in martial art. Another name in Pakistani martial art scenario is Grand Master Professor Syed Sakhawat Ali, who has several achievements at international and national level and after deep research formulated the first Pakistani disciplined martial art style of karate namely Budoban Karate having sports scientific approach and Olympic spirit. He also established its international organization as World Budoban Karate Federation.
Motorsport
The Motorsport Association of Pakistan (MAP) is a member of the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile FIA. The Pakistan National Karting Championship was the first motor racing curcit competition in Pakistan, and is used to develop rookie drivers. The Freedom Rally is a yearly off-road race which takes place during the Independence celebrations.
Nur B. Ali
Nur B. Ali
Nur B. Ali is a Pakistani-American racecar driver who drives in the ARCA Series for Cunningham Motorsports. He is the first Pakistani to become a professional racing driver, and a former two-time Southwest Formula Mazda Series Champion...
was the first Pakistani Racing driver and Co-founded the MAP. He drives in the ARCA RE/MAX Series
ARCA RE/MAX Series
-History:The series started as a local touring group. Led by John Marcum, the Midwest Association for Race Cars was formed with drivers like Iggy Katona and Nelson Stacy being early drivers.The series became a part of the Daytona Speedweeks in 1964...
and is a former two-time Southwest Formula Mazda
Formula Mazda
Formula Mazda is a class of relatively affordable open wheel formula racing.Formula Mazda has its own class in SCCA club racing, and there is a North American professional series named Star Mazda Championship that is part of IndyCar's Road to Indy ladder system. The cars are very popular; seeing a...
Regional Series champion. Ali was also the driver of the A1GP Team Pakistan in 2006. Syed Ovais Naqvi is the first local and homegrown professional Pakistani Racecar Driver and he is also the first Pakistani to acquire the International B Racing license, he also co-founded the MAP and is the General Secretary of the body. Ovais was also responsible for putting together the Pakistan National Karting Championship. Omer Younas
Omer Younas
Omer Younas is a Pakistani racing driver who drives in Formula BMW Asia for Team E-Rain.He has competed in a number of other racing series in Asia and is trying to get his B racing licence.- Career results :...
is currently racing in the Formula BMW Pacific and Adnan Sarwar
Adnan Sarwar
Adnan Sarwar is a Pakistani racing driver who drives in various International series.Adnan trained as a doctor, but his main interest was in motor sports and music. Adnan first drove for XtremeVelcoity Racing, a Pakistani team competing in the Nivea for Men 24 hours of Dubai 2006/07...
races in Formula Rolon
Formula Rolon
Formula RolonFormula Rolon, also known as Formula Rolon Chevrolet is an open wheel single seater Formula Racing car made and raced in India. They run in the single make championships held in the tracks of Coimbatore and Chennai. The car is similar to Formula Asia and is powered by Chevrolet engine...
. In 2005 the A1 Team Pakistan
A1 Team Pakistan
A1 Team Pakistan is the Pakistani team of A1 Grand Prix, an international racing series.- Management :In 2008/2009 season, the team is being run by Team Craft, bringing a high level of knowledge and expertise to A1 Team Pakistan....
was run by Adam Langley-Khan
Adam Langley-Khan
Adam Khan , is a British sportsman and racing driver of Pakistani descent from Bridlington, Yorkshire.He is fluent in six languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Urdu and Mandarin Chinese.-Career:...
, Khan returned to Team Pakistan for the 2007/08 season and remains the Team Pakistan driver. He also drives in the Euroseries 3000.
Mountaineering
With the greatest concentration of the highest peaks of the world many of them very challenging climbs, Pakistan is a prime location for skilled Mountain climbers. 5 peaks are over 8,000 meters. The Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) founded in 1974, is the national mountaineering and climbing federation.Chiltan Adventurers Association Balochistan
Chiltan Adventurers Association Balochistan
Chiltan Adventurers Association Balochistan is non-profit earning Government constituted adventure sports Association consisting of young boys and girls dedicated for the promotion of Mountain Adventure and sports climbing and associated sports in Balochistan Pakistan to protect new generation from...
is the Major affiliated Unit of ACP founded in 1984. Nazir Sabir
Nazir Sabir
Nazir Sabir Urdu: نذیر صابر is a Pakistani mountaineer. He was born in Ramanji a small hamlet in Chiporsun, upper Hunza known as Gojal...
, Ashraf Aman
Ashraf Aman
Ashraf Aman is a Pakistani mountaineer, adventurer, and an electrical engineer. He was first Pakistan to reach the summit of K2, the second highest peak on Earth. Besides mountaineering, he has almost 35 years of experience in tourism. He operates the tourism company known as Adventure Tours...
, Lt.Col Abdul Jabbar Bhatti (Pride of Performance), Hayatullah Khan Durrani
Hayatullah Khan Durrani
Hayatullah Khan Durrani is a Pakistani cave explorer, mountaineer, environmentalist, organizer, and a rescuer. He is also a part-time sports anchor actor in Pakistani Television shows. He played a significant role in the promotion of mountaineering and caving adventure sports in Pakistan,...
, Col Sher Khan are Pakistan’s most experienced mountaineers.
Rope Skipping
The Rope Skipping Federation of Pakistan is a national federation working for rope skipping in Pakistan. Affiliated with the Asian Rope Skipping Federation and the International Rope Skipping Federation.
Rowing
Karachi and Quetta are the major centers of rowing in Pakistan.National Rowing Championship is the major national event of Rowing in the country. Pakistan Rowing Federation was a founding member of the Asian Rowing Federation. Although Pakistani rowers take part in events, it is considered a minority sport. Rowers like Ali Hassan & Maqbool Ali and Zohaib Zia Hashmi & Muhammad Asad Khan have won medals at international events and in International School Rowing events Junior Rowers from Balochistan Mehardil Khan Baabai and Mirwaise Khan Baabai won many Medals,
Rugby union
The Pakistan Rugby Union
Pakistan Rugby Union
The Pakistan Rugby Union is the rugby union governing body in Pakistan. Among the Union's chief activities are conferences, organising international matches, and educating and training players and officials.The national team is called Pakistan Rugby....
was formally established in 2000 and gained memberships with the Asian Rugby Football Union in 2000. In 2003, Pakistan fielded a national team
Pakistan national rugby union team
The Pakistan national rugby union team represents Pakistan in international rugby union. Pakistan is a member of the International Rugby Board , and have yet to play in a Rugby World Cup tournament....
for the first time, participating in the Provincial Tournament in Sri Lanka. In Nov of 2004, it participated in the 19th Asian championship in Hong Kong. Pakistan rugby union then became an associate member of the IRB (International Rugby Board).
There are three major clubs in Pakistan; Islamabad Rugby Football Club
Islamabad Rugby Football Club
Islamabad Rugby Football Club also known as the JINNS was formed in 1992 by a group of expatriates, as a registered club. The club enjoyed among its members both local and expatriate players. In 1996 the local players took over the affairs of the IRFC and worked hard to bring the club to a better...
(IRFC) also known as the "JINNS", Lahore Rugby Football Club
Lahore Rugby Football Club
Lahore Rugby Football Club is a Pakistani rugby club in Lahore....
(LRFC), and Karachi Rugby Football Club (KRFC).
The latest landmark for Pakistan rugby is that universities like Lahore University of Management and Sciences (LUMS) and Bahria University Islamabad have formed teams as well.
Shooting
Shooting is a sport Pakistan frequently takes part in. Irshad Ali with one silver and two bronzes in the Commonwealth Games being one of the most successful at international level. Other prominent shooters in skeet shooting include Amin Karamat, Khurram Inam and Sultan Mehmood. Amin Karamat having participated in several international events and being the most achieving skeet shooter. He recently won the Bronze medal in Asian Clay shooting championship 2010 Bangkok, setting a record of 121/125 in the Asian Games Doha and wining team bronze in Asian Clay Shooting in 2008.
Skiing
The Ski Federation of Pakistan, created in 1990, run the sport. Despite being a country with many mountains, the sport has never taken off until the late 90's. Up until then, it was only done by the Pakistan Army. Now there have been facilities put in place so that the sport can be played, and the Ski Federation of Pakistan now sends out teams to international tournaments.
Sports Climbing
Pakistan Sports Climbing Federation is the only governing body of sports climbing activities / sports in Pakistan.the headquarter of PSCF is in Quetta
Quetta
is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the...
Balochistan.
Swimming
Up until recently, swimming struggled as a sport in Pakistan. But there has been a surge in interest, particularly with Rubab Raza
Rubab Raza
Rubab Raza is an Olympic and national-record-holding swimmer from Pakistan. She became Pakistan's first female Olympic swimmer when she swam at the 2004 Olympics....
. She was the youngest Olympic Pakistani competitor in Pakistan's history, aged 13 at the 2004 Olympics.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is run by the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation, and it started in Pakistan during the 70's when some Korean taekwondo masters visited here and established a handful of clubs. Over the years it has spread all over the country, albeit slowly for most part. However, it seems to have enjoyed more growth than any other sport (arguably), during the last ten years.and young boys played international championships around the world.
Table tennis
The Pakistan Table Tennis Federation runs the sport in the country. Arif Khan, was ranked in the Top 60 in the late 80's, and was one of Pakistan's best players. Recently, the sport has been revitalised, with Pakistan trying to host international tournaments.
Tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
is also a very popular Sport and Pakistanis compete in various international events. The Pakistan Tennis Federation
Pakistan Tennis Federation
Pakistan Tennis Federation is the governing body of tennis in Pakistan. It has played vital role in the development of domestic, national and international tennis in Pakistan. It has produced number of young talented players...
(PTF) organise the game in the country. Khawaja Saeed Hai
Khawaja Saeed Hai
Khwaja Saeed Hai is the former Pakistan number one tennis player, and the first Pakistani tennis player to reach the main draw of a Grand Slam through qualifying matches. He featured in the main draw of three successive Wimbledon Championships from 1954 through 1956, and reached the third round of...
was the first Pakistani to reach a Grand Slam
Grand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
, playing at Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon
The Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
, the US Open, and the French Open where he made it to the third round. Haroon Rahim
Haroon Rahim
Haroon Rahim, is a Pakistani former tennis player. The former Pakistan and Asian number one, Rahim was the youngest tennis player ever to play for Pakistan in the Davis Cup at 15 years of age. He was also the highest ranking Pakistani tennis player ever...
was the very successful player, he was winner of a number of ATP
Association of Tennis Professionals
The Association of Tennis Professionals or ATP was formed in 1972 by Donald Dell, Jack Kramer, and Cliff Drysdale to protect the interests of male professional tennis players. Since 1990, the association has organized the worldwide tennis tour for men and linked the title of the tour with the...
Singles and Doubles titles. Lately, Aisam-ul-Haq created history in Pakistan Tennis, as he reached the finals of 2010 US Open – Men's Doubles
2010 US Open – Men's Doubles
Lukáš Dlouhý and Leander Paes were the defending champions, but lost in the first round to Martin Damm and Filip Polášek 6–7, 6–3, 6–4.Bob and Mike Bryan won in the final 7–6, 7–6, against Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi.- Seeds :...
and 2010 US Open – Mixed Doubles
2010 US Open – Mixed Doubles
Carly Gullickson and Travis Parrott were the defending champions, but lost in the first round to Gisela Dulko and Pablo Cuevas 2–6, 4–6.Liezel Huber and Bob Bryan won in the final 6–4, 6–4, against Květa Peschke and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi.- Seeds :...
.
The Pakistan Davis Cup team
Pakistan Davis Cup team
The Pakistan Davis Cup team represents Pakistan in Davis Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Pakistan Tennis Federation.Pakistan currently compete in the Asia/Oceania Zone of Group II...
have previously reached the world group play-offs, with the help of Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi
Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi is a professional tennis player from Pakistan. He is currently Pakistan's top player. A top 10 doubles player, his highest Singles Race ranking is 103rd and is the former Asian No. 3...
, currently Pakistan's number one, and Aqeel Khan
Aqeel Khan
Aqeel Khan is the current Pakistani number two and National Champion in tennis. His favourite surface is Grass. He is coached by Pakistani tennis coach Jamil Khan, who is his father...
, the number two. Tennis events are very rare in Pakistan and there is hardly an international tennis event, apart from ATP tournaments.
Volleyball
Volleyball is popular in the Pakistan Armed Forces. Inter-services games are played regularly, and most players of the Pakistani volleyball team are from the armed forces. This game is also gaining popularity among private school students in Karachi
Karachi
Karachi is the largest city, main seaport and the main financial centre of Pakistan, as well as the capital of the province of Sindh. The city has an estimated population of 13 to 15 million, while the total metropolitan area has a population of over 18 million...
.
Weightlifting
The Pakistan Amateur Weightlifting Federation was formed in 1953. Pakistan has picked up a number of medals over the years in weightlifting, Shuja-Ud-Din Malik won gold in the Men's 85 kg Combined at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
has always been a popular Sport in Pakistan, with regular tournaments played locally. It has seen Pakistan win medals at international games, such as Muhammed Akhtar
Muhammed Akhtar
Muhammed Akhtar FRS is a Pakistani chemist, and Director General, of the School of Biological Sciences, at the University of the Punjab.He was a founding fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences in 1984....
, a 3 time Gold 2007. The Gama Pahalwan
The Great Gama
The "Great" Gama also known as "Gama Pahelvan", and "Lion of the Punjab", born Ghulam Muhammad , in Amritsar, Punjab, British India, was a renowned wrestler, warrior and a practitioner of Pehlwani wrestling. He was awarded the South Asian version of the World Heavyweight Championship on October...
was undefeated World Wrestling Champion from Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. Gama Pahalwan
The Great Gama
The "Great" Gama also known as "Gama Pahelvan", and "Lion of the Punjab", born Ghulam Muhammad , in Amritsar, Punjab, British India, was a renowned wrestler, warrior and a practitioner of Pehlwani wrestling. He was awarded the South Asian version of the World Heavyweight Championship on October...
's nephew Bholu Pahalwan
Bholu Pahalwan
Bholu was one of the most popular wrestlers of 1950s. His name has been recorded in the annals of wrestling. Bholu originates from aGujjar family of renowned wrestlers from Amritsar, Punjab. He lived in Amritsar till age 9. Then during one of his school holidays Bholu moved to Patiala to visit his...
also represented Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
.
Yachting and Sailing
Pakistan Sailing Federation is the national body, with Karachi and Balochistan Sailing/Yachting Association's as its major units. Byram Dinshawji Avari
Byram Dinshawji Avari
Byram Dinshawji Avari is a prominent Pakistani businessman and twice Asian Games gold medalist. He is based in Karachi, Sindh.-Family:Avari is married to Gosphi and has two sons including, Xerxes.-Business Concerns:...
represented Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
at the 1978 Asian Games
1978 Asian Games
The 8th Asian Games were held from December 9, 1978 to December 20, 1978 in Bangkok, Thailand. Originally, the host city was Singapore but Singapore dropped its plan to host the Games due to financial problems. And then Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan was decided to host the 8th Games...
in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
and again at the 1982 Asian Games
1982 Asian Games
The 9th Asian Games were held from November 19, 1982 to December 4, 1982 in Delhi, India.An incredible 74 Asian and Asian Games records were broken. This was also the first Asiad to be held under the aegis of the Olympic Council of Asia.-Sports:...
in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
. He also won a silver medal at the Enterprise World Championship held in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 1978. In 2004 Mohammad Tanveer of Pakistan won silver medal in Mistral Asian Championship held in Bombay.Shazli Tahir won silver and Junaid Ahmed won bronze medal in 1st CAS International Sailing Championship in April 2008.
Gulli Danda
Gulli Danda is an traditional game in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
and it was introduced in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
and most famous game in India (subcontinent) and Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. This game is mostly play in villages.
International Participation
- Olympic GamesOlympic GamesThe Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
- Commonwealth GamesCommonwealth GamesThe Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
- Asian GamesAsian GamesThe Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
- South Asian Federation GamesSouth Asian Federation GamesSouth Asian Games are a bi-annual multi-sport event held among the athletes from South Asia. The governing body of these games is South Asian Sports Council , formed in 1983...
- Cricket World CupCricket World CupThe ICC Cricket World Cup is the premier international championship of men's One Day International cricket. The event is organised by the sport's governing body, the International Cricket Council , with preliminary qualification rounds leading up to a finals tournament which is held every four years...
asian beach games; najeeb ullah khan won bronze medal
See also
- Culture of PakistanCulture of PakistanThe society and culture of Pakistan comprises numerous diverse cultures and ethnic groups: the Punjabis, Kashmiris, Sindhis in east, Muhajirs, Makrani in the south; Baloch and Pashtun in the west; and the ancient Dardic, Wakhi and Burusho communities in the north...
- Pakistan Olympic AssociationPakistan Olympic AssociationPakistan Olympic Association is the National Olympic Committee of Pakistan. The association was established in 1948 to oversee the active participation of the newly independent state at the Olympiad. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the first Governor-General of the country also became the patron-in-chief of...
- List of stadiums in Pakistan