AFL Pakistan’s tour to Australia concluded recently with off-field tensions; women’s participation in the game for the first time; and two victories over India emerging as highlights.
Players used sleeping bags at night, some even spent a cold night without any electricity or hot water, and there were times when they didn’t even get three proper meals per day
Pakistan participated in the tournament for the first time back in 2014 when a Melbourne-based Shaheens Sporting and Social Club represented Pakistan. This time around, AFL Pakistan, an entity not registered with the Pakistan Sports Board, partnered with the Club to ensure Pakistan’s participation.
Women participation termed success
One of the highlights of the recent tour was the participation of Pakistan’s first-ever women’s team in the competition. They didn’t win any game, but their presence on the field in itself is being called a remarkable achievement.
We were able to bring these girls here in front of everyone and this shows there is more to Pakistan than what is usually reported (in the press)
AFL Pakistan’ Manager Tayyab Chatta believes that women’s participation will improve global image of the country.
“We were able to bring these girls here in front of everyone and this shows there is more to Pakistan than what is usually reported (in the press).”
As far as women’s team is concerned, one of the highlights was them scoring a goal, which is a remarkable feat. The other one is selection of Pakistan’s captain Myra Ahmed in the World XI team
Shaheens Sporting and Social Club’s Communications Manager Syed Ariz agrees.
“As far as women’s team is concerned, one of the highlights was them scoring a goal, which is a remarkable feat. The other one is selection of Pakistan’s captain Myra Ahmed in the World XI team.”
Defeating India, twice
Another highlight for Pakistan was defeating India, twice.
The Pakistan team defeated the competitive Indian team first in a matchup which is now widely known as “Dosti Cup”. The other win came towards the end of the tournament that helped Pakistan improve its ranking and stay ahead of India.
“Players were really passionate about the India game,” Mr Ariz recalls.
“It was very competitive and we outdid our opponents and performed well as a unit. Off the field, we were good friends with our Indian counterpart and kept the spirit of the game alive.”
Mr Chatta believes this is a good example of how both countries can stay friends.
“We proved that friendship between the two countries is possible, and it was our gift to Pakistani community in Australia,” he says of the victories.
The Conflict
The players’ stay in Australia was not the best. They used sleeping bags at night, some even spent a cold night without any electricity or hot water, and there were times when they didn’t even get three proper meals per day.
However, both AFL Pakistan and Shaheens Sporting and Social Club have failed to take ownership of this debacle.
AFL Pakistan maintains that it was the responsibility of the Melbourne-based club to organise food, transport and accommodation for the players once they were in Australia.
It was our responsibility to come to Australia from Pakistan after organising tickets and visas and accommodation, food and transport in Australia were the Shaheens’ responsibility, AFL Pakistan
“It was our responsibility to come to Australia from Pakistan after organising tickets and visas,” Mr Chatta explains the partnership with Shaheens Sporting and Social Club.
“And accommodation, food and transport in Australia were the Shaheens’ responsibility.”
However, Mr Ariz stresses that the club did not make any commitment to help the team financially, and only agreed to provide support in terms of coaching, training and arranging equipment and gear for the game.
There was no financial commitment from our end and we were assured that they had sponsors, Shaheens Sporting and Social Club
“We said we would ‘facilitate’ them for accommodation, which means when they would come here we would assist them in finding everything. There was no financial commitment from our end and we were assured that they had sponsors.”
Mr Ariz further mentions that his club still went out of the way to organise accommodation for every player, but AFL Pakistan provided wrong information to them and the total number of players was confirmed just a few hours before their scheduled arrival in Australia.
The Club later organised sponsors to support the players’ stay in Australia, and also sought assistance from the local Pakistani community, but Mr Chatta maintains that he was the one who convinced some community members to aid the team.
To hear the complete story play the audio
