Star Aisam is Pakistan’s hero,
Pakistan has won global titles in hockey, squash and cricket. But tennis player Aisamul Haq’s feat of reaching the finals of both the men’s and mixed doubles at the US Open, holds a special place in Pakistan’s sporting achievements. Whatever he has managed to do is only through his effort and support of the family. The Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) or the national sports bodies can’t claim any credit to Aisam’s recent feat.I am an Olympic gold medallist myself and come from a family which figured in all the three gold medals won by Pakistan at the Olympics. But I think Aisam’s accomplishment, considering the timing plus the message he conveyed to the world, would always be talked about.
The whole country is in a distress. The terrorist attacks going on for last many years had already labelled Pakistan as one of the most dangerous places on earth. Now the flood has affected around 20 million people; 1/10th of the total population. The nation image has been further tainted by the spot-fixing scandal involving our ‘beloved’ cricketers. In this scenario, Aisam’s brilliant performance has not only brought a smile on the faces of this beleaguered nation but also a ray of hope especially among the youth of the country.However, the message that he conveyed to the world, and that too on the American soil, trying to dispel the terrorist image of Pakistan was something not even the Pakistani diplomatic missions all over the world could have done. This patriotic act deserves the highest praise and recognition.
It would have been appropriate if the President of the country had sent his personal plane for the national hero’s travel back home; not even the Punjab Chief Minister was present at the airport to receive the hero belonging to his own city. It has been highlighted again that sports can play a major role in not only the image building of our country but also lifting the spirit of the youth of this depressed nation and channelizing its energy into positive activities instead of terrorism and drugs.
Presently, Aisam is the only real sporting role model for our youth and he should be hailed as a national hero. I can’t claim to have brought many laurels for my country but I will like to present my most proud possession, the Olympic gold medal to Aisamul Haq; he deserves it more than I do.
(source:dailytimes.com.pk)
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