Which sports have potential for growth in Pakistan (besides cricket)

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

MMA, boxing, wrestling. We have always had potential here but criminally underfunded.

Polo and other equestrian sports is also an option. We have the cultural traditions but naturally a more expensive area in the sporting world.

Esports. I know some of you will laugh but if major global players like Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain are investing in their esports divison, something big is happening there.

I would add football and basketball to that. Neither require significant amounts of investment in gear etc and are globally popular. In my view, if the government has limited funds to invest in new sports (or sports not as popular as cricket in Pakistan) then the focus should be on sports that are popular globally, which will help medium to long term in terms of easier marketing, attracting investment/advertising and giving upcoming Pakistani talent the opportunity to play in the established leagues in Europe, US, South America, Asia. The latter will not just allow Pakistani athletes to have greater earning potential (while the market solidifies domestically), but also perhaps enhance their skills and transfer that to other athletes back home.

 

[touela]

Badminton.

in Our club the local Imam plays sometimes. He used to play in the madrasah in old days. Needless to say he beats even the best of us.

This is a sport where an individual can perform depending on his talent.

 

[Pan-Islamic-Pakistan]

Football has the most potential, and it makes the most logical sense to promote Pakistan's brand image internationally.

International cricket has been destroyed by the biased ICC, which is dictated by Indians. That is why I am so happy with PSL, and we should work to form our own cricket body as well, aside from ICC, which can be neutral despite political disputes.

Field hockey is due for a comeback in Pakistan.

Basketball also makes sense, as along with urbanization, it could be easy to lay down and build courts in parks.

 

[Salahuddin Ayyubi]

• Football - great potential in Baloch/Makrani/Hazara communties
• Rugby - ban Kabbadi and send them off to learn Rugby
• Tennis - Hazara, erstwhile FATA
• Winter Sports - Gilgit-Baltistan

As a former highschool rugby player. I disagree about banning kebbdi. I've never played it but I've seen it being played in person and it quite an interesting sport which should be promoted. Rugby should also be promoted.

 

[WinterFangs]

Could we also potentially go for ice hockey? I mean Pakistanis are already good at hockey.

 

[Malik Alpha]

Mutehda Majlis e Amal

 

[Abid123]

MMA, boxing, wrestling. We have always had potential here but criminally underfunded.

Polo and other equestrian sports is also an option. We have the cultural traditions but naturally a more expensive area in the sporting world.

Esports. I know some of you will laugh but if major global players like Bayern Munich and Paris St Germain are investing in their esports divison, something big is happening there.

Combat sports have big potential in Pakistan.

Could we also potentially go for ice hockey? I mean Pakistanis are already good at hockey.

We are not that good at field hockey longer sadly.

 

[Abid123]

I would add football and basketball to that. Neither require significant amounts of investment in gear etc and are globally popular. In my view, if the government has limited funds to invest in new sports (or sports not as popular as cricket in Pakistan) then the focus should be on sports that are popular globally, which will help medium to long term in terms of easier marketing, attracting investment/advertising and giving upcoming Pakistani talent the opportunity to play in the established leagues in Europe, US, South America, Asia. The latter will not just allow Pakistani athletes to have greater earning potential (while the market solidifies domestically), but also perhaps enhance their skills and transfer that to other athletes back home.

Do you think height would be a problem in Pakistan becoming a good Basketball country? Pakistanis are not exactly the tallest people. But again there are countries where the average height is shorter than Pakistan but still they are doing good in Basketball.

Pakistani goverment should invest most money in these sports:
1. Football
2. Field Hockey
3. Basketball
4. Boxing
5. MMA

 

[TheSnakeEatingMarkhur]

In history, we have won championships in cricket, hockey and squash.

And what are the sports that have the potential to be popular in Pakistan?

I think we can improve ourselves in football. Our children and youth play it very well in the streets of the city, especially Makrani, Balochi and Hazara children.

Hockey, Footy, squash and e-sports will be answer..

 

[WinterFangs]

Hockey, Footy, squash and e-sports will be answer..

Sadly esports will take more effort since a lot of Pakistanis consider It as a distraction and a waste of time.

 

[Trailer23]

You're joking ,right?

No matter what sport you'd introduce will not just take a backseat to Cricket, it'll fade away in weeks.

When did we get Independence, again?!!

I've seen more action when my wife attempts to bake something - unsuccessfully.

Look, its not just the general public. Sponsors don't want to touch our own National Hockey Team with a 6-foot stick, so how are they supposed to get better.

Sports these days need a lot of investment. Money and Time. You need money to hire scouts that need to travel to places around Pakistan. They need money for equipment, facilities, salaries for Coaches, Medical etc.

How do you think it plays out when one National Team player for Cricket pulls up in a Merc or a Lexus and other National Team player for Hockey takes a rickshaw?

In Pakistan, Sports means Sport = Cricket

We can throw MMA, Soccer/Football or whatever in the pool of great ideas. Look how great Squash and Snooker turn out for us after the 80/90's.

Is Vlogging & TikTok'ing a sport because we seem to be exceling in that (these days).

...(other) Sports in Pakistan - the idea is as tasteless as my wife's homemade cookies.

 

[-blitzkrieg-]

Football should be #1 priority

 

[Dr. Abdul Basit]

We used to be quite good at Hockey, Volley ball, Squash + there is a huge potential in terms of soccer, skiing, polo, tennis, weight lifting, and swimming, however, appropriate use of resources can help flourish the games in country.

 

[FuturePAF]

Strongman contests; weightlifting, discus toss, javelin throw, etc.

But I Agree, football should be first priority. Considering the population size, with considerable organization, a decent talent development program could yield world class athletics

 

[Last starfighter]

It all comes down to
PAISA PAISA ,PAISA