Traditional Sports: Another Casualty Of Social Media's Onslaught

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 1st Sep, 2024) Shabir Ahmed, a renowned volleyball player of Khyber Pakthunkhwa (KP), is extremely disheartened by the decline in traditional sports activities in his hometown of Amankot, Nowshera District, due to the onslaught of the internet and social media in Pakistan.

Amankot—once a vibrant center for volleyball matches among local players and produced many stars—is now deserted due to the growing dominance of the internet and social media, influencing the area’s youth immensely.

Shabbir recalled a time when volleyball tournaments were a major local event before 2000, drawing large crowds amid significant enthusiasm, especially among youth of Peshawar, Charsadda, and Nowshera districts.

"It is heartbreaking to see the deserted volleyball and Kabadi grounds where we used to play with great spirit and sports discipline," he told APP.

He reminisced about the lively gatherings and competitive sportsmen spirits that once defined the local sports scene.

Before the rise of the internet and social media in 2001, the villages and towns sports events in Khyber Pakthunkhwa were highly anticipated, with volleyball and Kabaddi tournaments besides other traditional games drawing enthusiastic support from locals irrespective of caste and color.

Players from surrounding towns and villages of Nowshera, Charsadda, and Peshawar had come together every Friday for Kabaddi matches, with crowds cheering and chanting "Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi" as they played, raising winners on shoulders amid dances on beatdrums.

Shabir, who represented Pakistan at the National Games, pointed to Pakistan’s great success in Kabaddi, noting that the national team won the World Cup in 2020 and Arshad Naeem’s heroic performance at the javelin throw during the Paris Olympics in 2024 raised heads of every Pakistani high.

He believed that with proper support and recognition, Pakistan can produce more champions like Olympic gold medalist Arshad Naeem, squash legends Jahangir Khan and Jan Sher Khan, and Seoul 1998 Olympics silver medalist Hussain Shah to make the national flag high in the world.

However, he emphasized that the current focus on digital entertainment, especially on Facebook and TikTok, is negatively impacting traditional sports, especially in rural areas where the scope of sports is gradually fading away.

The proliferation of internet use in Pakistan, which has crossed 111 million early this year, has mainly contributed to the decline of traditional sports in Pakistan, including Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

Social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat have seen significant user growth, further drawing attention away from physical activities.

The internet users in Pakistan had swelled to a record 111 million in January, while about 71.90 million people use social media, which is equivalent to 29.

5 million of the total population of the country.

Similarly, about 188.9 million cellular connections are active in Pakistan, which is equal to 77.8 percent of the 241 million population of Pakistan. Alike, the users of Facebook have jumped to a record 44.50 million, while the 71.70 million population use YouTube, 17.30 million use Instagram, 54.38 million use TikTok, and 30.21 million use Snapchat, affecting traditional games.

Squash legend Qamar Zaman noted the negative impact of the internet and social media on traditional sports, including squash. 

He observed a significant reduction in the number of young players in his squash academy compared to previous years due to the onslaught of the internet and social media’s influence.

He said Pakistan had ruled on world squash, referring to the great squash players such as Roshan Khan, Azam Khan, Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, Atlas Khan, and himself over the years.

Political concerns also emerged with Ikhtair Wali Khan, Pakistan Muslim League-N KP Information Secretary and former member provincial assembly, criticizing the PTI-led government for its long delays in upgrading and renovation of the historic Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium.

The stadium's renovation, which began in 2017, remained incomplete even to date, depriving thousands of players of crucial sports facilities in Khyber Pakthunkhwa, especially in Peshawar.

Ikhtair Wali Khan also highlighted the cancellation of seven sports projects valued at over Rs2.34 billion in the KP budget for 2024, which he argued undermines sports development in Khyber Pakthunkhwa.

He said, "This irrational move has raised serious concerns about the PTI’s commitment to sports development and supporting athletes."

The canceled projects include building two sports stadiums in Peshawar and Swabi and the establishment of a cricket coaching academy at Kohat. Constructing Takht Bhai Sports Complex in Mardan was tantamount to depriving youth of sports, he added.

The affected initiatives are renovations at Kohat Sports Complex and Swabi Sports Ground, installing new lighting, and developing sports facilities in Lower Dir and a motor sports arena in Nowshera.

In response to these daunting challenges, Fakhar Jehan, adviser to the Chief Minister KP on Sports and Youth Affairs, stated, "Solid efforts are underway to revitalize traditional sports in the province."

He said a new sports policy was launched and mandated that schools must dedicate one day a week, especially Saturday, to sports activities.

About 95 percent of work on Arbab Niaz cricket stadium was completed, and sports facilities at Ayub Cricket Stadium improved, he claimed. 

The CM aide reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting sports and healthy activities in the region, emphasizing their significance in building a healthy society.