Talent without opportunity

By Muneeb Maqsood

Balochistan, a region with unique challenges, is often overlooked when it comes to nurturing talent. Despite this, it is a region rich in talented individuals capable of excelling in various fields. If given the right opportunities, these individuals could significantly benefit the country and bring a wave of optimism to the sports scene.

For instance, Sana Baloch, a talented cricket player from Turbat, has consistently outperformed many national players in local tournaments yet has never been given a chance to represent Pakistan. This is a disappointing reality for the many hardworking Baloch athletes who aspire to represent Pakistan on the international stage one day.

Moreover, Baloch players are deeply invested in their sports, holding monthly tournaments to boost their talent. Their dedication to sports like cricket, football, and volleyball, popular in Balochistan, is a testament to their potential and deserves our support and empathy.

Cricket tournaments are conducted annually and monthly among all cricket-playing clubs in Balochistan. Many talented cricket players can execute plans better than some current Pakistani players. Yet, they are unjustly neglected, which should stir anger and motivate us to push for change.

Furthermore, the Pakistan cricket team was granted test status by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1952, and approximately 235 players have represented Pakistan, according to the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (ESPN). According to Wikipedia, 99 players have represented the Pakistan Cricket Team from 2006 to 2022, but no Baloch player has ever been part of the team.

Pakistan’s cricket league, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), initiated in 2016, counts no participation of Baloch players for its even 9th edition, which means no Baloch has ever played one edition of PSL, indicating the Baloch players are absent in the PSL, the national league that aims to polish new talents all over Pakistan. Sadly, a province covering 44% of the country’s land has not included its players in the PSL.

Many clubs in Balochistan play quality cricket but are not allowed to participate in the league. Quetta Gladiator, a PSL team representing Balochistan for a while, has no Baloch players. Once, a player belonging to Quetta named Bismillah Khan played for it; unfortunately, he was not a Baloch.

Quetta has to conduct its trial sessions in different parts of Balochistan to discover the team’s talents; however, it lacks interest in conducting trials. Baloch players are neither given a chance in the national league nor the national team. This has been true for Baloch for decades. Why is the team named Quetta Gladiator when no local Baloch players are included? Nicely, Hammad Mengal, the Secretary of the Quetta Cricket Association in the PSL’s third edition, said, “If you cannot put local Baloch cricketers in the Pakistan Super League, particularly in Quetta Gladiator, then change the name of this.”

The federal government’s adoption of policies raises concerns reminiscent of Napoleon Bonaparte’s quote: “Talent without opportunity is nothing.” Balochistan is often perceived differently than players from other provinces.

One potential solution could be introducing a quota system that ensures a certain percentage of players in national teams and leagues are from Balochistan. This would not only provide opportunities for Baloch players but also enrich the diversity of our national teams. So, the sports board of Pakistan PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) should look into this issue and give Baloch players a chance, for this is Pakistan’s team, not specific to any province or individual personally.