Crisis of Conduct Among National Athletes — Pakistan’s Honor and Character at Stake
By: Sports Enthusiast Shahid Ulhaq
Crisis of Conduct Among National Athletes — Pakistan’s Honor and Character at Stake
By: Sports Enthusiast Shahid Ulhaq
Cricketer Haider Ali, squash player Mehwish Ali, and tennis player MAKHAIL ALI BAIG are in urgent need of ethical and behavioral training.
Over the past few months, incidents in Pakistan’s sports arena have tarnished the nation’s reputation on the global stage.
During the Junior Davis Cup in Kazakhstan, tennis player Hamid Israr displayed unsportsmanlike behavior by refusing a proper handshake with his Indian opponent. In the UK,
cricketer Haider Ali was arrested on allegations of rape — although later released on bail — but the incident brought embarrassment to Pakistan cricket internationally. Additionally, in South Korea, squash player Mehwish Ali made an obscene gesture towards her Hong Kong opponent after losing a match and walked off the court without shaking hands.
These incidents are not isolated to one sport or one individual — they point to a larger gap: our athletes are trained to compete on the field, but often lack knowledge of life skills, global etiquette, and responsible conduct off the field.
The Pakistan Cricket Board acted swiftly in Haider Ali’s case, but other federations did not display the same seriousness. This inconsistency sends a damaging message to the world that Pakistan does not take athlete behavior seriously.
It is now time to make an “Athletes’ Ethics and Responsibility Program” mandatory for all national players — a program that should include:
IOC Safeguarding Courses to protect athletes and others from abuse and harassment.
Training in International Etiquette and Cultural Sensitivity so players uphold Pakistan’s foundational motto of Faith, Unity, Discipline in every country they visit.
Awareness of Host Country Laws to avoid unintentionally committing offenses.
Media Training, Fan Interaction, and Personal Safety Guidelines — including how to avoid “honey traps,” media wars, and risky situations during international tours.
Practical Drills for Mental Focus to ensure athletes maintain concentration on their sport.
Athletes wearing the national jersey don’t just represent Pakistan on the field — they are living, breathing reflections of the nation worldwide. A careless handshake, an inappropriate word, or an obscene gesture can undo decades of hard work and national pride.
It’s time to make ethics an essential part of a national athlete’s uniform. Skills may win matches, but values win respect — and that is the victory Pakistan needs most today.
About the Author:
Shahid Ulhaq has been associated with sports and journalism for over four decades. A former national-level basketball player and fitness coach for several national teams, he is an advocate for athletes’ rights, peace, and sports development.
He is the Founder & Chairman of the Sports & Fitness Association of Pakistan and the Founder & Host of the SPOFIT YouTube channel, where he produces in-depth and constructive content on sports and athlete issues.
+92 333 5161425 ; spofit@gmail.com ; www.youtube.com/spofit
