GOLF IN PAKISTAN! DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL

Over the last few decades Pakistan has produced golfers of world from Mehmood “Mithu” Hussain to Shabbir Iqbal, but the unfortunate thing is that only a select few know about them. One of the main reason for this has been the lack of media support given to these mega stars of yesteryears and today. This leads to almost negligible sponsorship to the game of golf which is rather sad. We have had stars who have shown their skills and talent not only is Pakistan but around the world. I would want to mention the name Taimur Hussain who has had the honor of being the only Pakistani to win on the Asian Tour in 1998 and coincidently he beat India’s biggest star Jeev Milkha Singh which in itself is a great accomplishment, and yet taimur has never been given due credit for achieving this feat. 

Ghulam Nabi another legend of Pakistan golf has never been given any credit for his achievements. Ghulam Nabi and one of the biggest stars in the world of golf today, Vijay Singh used to share the same room in Malaysia when they were both starting their careers but now we see where Vijay Singh has reached. The main reason why sponsors do not come forward  and hold golf events in Pakistan is that whenever they are willing to sponsor golf events, the money that they give is not properly utilized and more than half of it goes into the pockets of the management. 

Shabbir Iqbal is currently the top ranked professional golfer of Pakistan. A self taught golfer, this young man has demonstrated immense talent in the national golf circuit of Pakistan. His golfing ability to focus on his game and even during the moments of nerve shattering heightened pressure; he remains cool, playing like a champion. 

Over the past two years he has won every title in Pakistan times over. The need of he hour now is that the national organization supports him and so does some devoted sponsors so that he can play overseas and spell his magic in the international golf circuit. 

In Pakistan we are short of golf courses and the game does not get adequate backing from the powers. Interestingly our leading golfers are as big heroes as any cricketers, yet remain virtually unknown because of the inadequate media coverage.