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

[Abid123]

It all comes down to
PAISA PAISA ,PAISA

Are you sure? Some poor countries do well in different sports. For example Kenya.

 

[Kambojaric]

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.

Definitely. It is extremely sad that Pakistan pumps most of its sports funding to cricket, a sport which frankly pretty much nobody outside of South Asia cares about. Even in countries like England and South Africa it is not a sport on the level of football or rugby.
If we redirect some funding from cricket to actually globally popular sports like football or boxing we have a much better chance of making the "mulks naam roshan". This guy missed out on some big fights during his prime years because of lack of funding (https://www.boxingscene.com/muhammad-waseem-upset-with-lack-support-from-pakistan--122879).

 

[KAL-EL]

American football.

OK, probably not, but would definitely be cool if it did.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

American football.

OK, probably not, but would definitely be cool if it did.

It would be cool, but way too expensive in terms of kit for every player.

 

[Zulfiqar]

Cricket does not help in building team work and synergy. In real life no one is playing test matches so only top 2-4 players get to bat/bowl and rest are just to act as ball picker (ball picker and not a fielder, no wonder we are so bad in fielding).

I recommend basketball primarily (as it requires less land) and then football.

Both require constant high paced team work. Something we need to introduce as muscle memory in our society rather than cricket which only results in more lazy bums every where. This is why we always look for short cuts in life/jobs.

Boxing/Muay thai as well.

I want to learn Muay Thai, but I am in my early 30s now and soon getting married so will have other priorities.

 

[KAL-EL]

It would be cool, but way too expensive in terms of kit for every player.

true.. Although the NFL here in the states has more than enough To cover those costs.

Not to mention the travel time between the United States and Pakistan required for each weekly game.

Perhaps A biweekly schedule?

I just think it would be really interesting to try. Not just the game itself, but the cultural aspect as well

 

[Mirzali Khan]

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.

MMA!

 

[Dalit]

Discussed to death. Won't happen. Our mentality won't allow it. Unfortunately our society is not ready for change. The needle is stuck. Cricket is all these people care about. A bunch of wankers standing in front of three wickets and holding a heavy wooden stick to hit a ball that bounces off the surface. Then other pricks wearing white suits chase the ball all day long. The rules are so complex to understand for a layman or someone new to the game. Newcomers are turned off by just looking at the ongoing circus. It doesn't encourage other nations to join. The game won't even be allowed to enter the Olympics. Too long, too complex and too boring, but we want to excel at it.

 

[Abid123]

Do people living in Pakistan regard overseas Pakistanis like Amir Khan a «Pakistani athlete»?

 

[Samurai_assassin]

Need to revive hockey and badminton. Any news about football in Pakistan?

 

[PakistaniAtBahrain]

Discussed to death. Won't happen. Our mentality won't allow it. Unfortunately our society is not ready for change. The needle is stuck. Cricket is all these people care about. A bunch of wankers standing in front of three wickets and holding a heavy wooden stick to hit a ball that bounces off the surface. Then other pricks wearing white suits chase the ball all day long. The rules are so complex to understand for a layman or someone new to the game. Newcomers are turned off by just looking at the ongoing circus. It doesn't encourage other nations to join. The game won't even be allowed to enter the Olympics. Too long, too complex and too boring, but we want to excel at it.

cricket just takes too long for me. dont have hours upon hours to waste in front of a TV. T20 is more exciting, but still too long.

Any news about football in Pakistan?

in Pakistan its kick the legs, not the ball. its like playing rugby with a football.