In Pakistan, the relationship between politics and sports is like tea and biscuits: they may appear separate, but in the end, they always go together. In politics, there is an interesting yet common rule: if one brother in a family is in government with one party, the other quickly joins the opposition in another party. Publicly, they exchange sharp statements against each other, yet behind closed doors—like secret stock exchange deals—everything continues smoothly.
Now, the same pattern seems to be emerging in the world of sports.
The law clearly states that no employee of a provincial sports directorate can hold a position in any sports association. But in Pakistan, the famous logic of “anything is possible here” often prevails. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an association was formed in which a sports directorate employee became vice president in his own region. And yes, this is the same region where sports rules and regulations often seem to be swept away in a storm.
Interestingly, the wife of a martial arts coach—who is herself a coach, or at least undergoing training—has become an office-bearer in another sports association. In other words, just like politics, family ties, relationships, and friendships are deciding matters in the sports world. If an athlete or coach is involved in something questionable, they are rarely held accountable under the rules. But if you are connected to relatives or the “right people,” positions seem to come automatically.
This situation is not only a clear violation of regulations but also a satirical example for athletes and the public. Many people in Pakistan might wonder, “Is this really possible?” Yes, here, everything is possible. If “brother vs. brother” politics works in government, then similar games will unfold in sports as well.
The most intriguing aspect is that the Pakistan Sports Board and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Olympic Association either overlook such matters or maintain silence. No reporting, no action—just a subtle wink at violations of the rules. Perhaps this is their own “silent comedy policy”: whatever is happening, let it happen.
Now consider this: on one side, you have young athletes working tirelessly, chasing their dreams day and night. On the other, you have individuals securing positions based on family connections and affiliations. This is the growing “politics of sports” in Pakistan. If one day young athletes are unable to participate in competitions because association posts have been distributed under a “family policy,” who will they complain to?
At times, the scene resembles politics itself: people publicly criticize one another, yet privately focus on mutual benefits. As if to say, “You are in the opposition, I am in the government—but in the end, we both benefit.”
The greatest irony is that ordinary athletes and the public become unwilling participants in this system. They cannot “play” outside the rules, yet office-bearers play freely through relationships. Sports in Pakistan now mirror politics: the law exists on paper, but in reality, everything revolves around connections and “our own people.”
Perhaps the most amusing part is that all this unfolds in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where politics and sports shine together like two glow sticks lighting each other up. And the Pakistan Sports Board? Well, all is well—apparently everything is fine, as long as the news does not reach the media.
This story teaches us that in Pakistan, sports and politics can never truly be separated. Where one brother is in government and the other in opposition, athletes and coaches, too, secure positions through relationships and affiliations. Public opinion? It is reduced to a light clap and a nod of the head.
In the end, this is Pakistan’s version of sports and politics: rules, regulations, and principles remain pieces of paper, while the real game is played through relationships and “our own people.” It is a humorous reality—one that makes us laugh, but also forces us to think.
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