winning feat in hockey and squash at the Asian Games comes as a breath of fresh air in a year marred by a series of nasty rows and controversies in the country's sports. The success – including that of the women's cricket team – at the Asiad has raised Pakistan's profile as a competitive sporting nation. It has also revived the glorious memories of the 1970s and 1980s when Pakistan dominated both hockey and squash in the international arena. Besides, the Asiad medals have given the beleaguered people of Pakistan something to cheer about as they grapple with myriad problems ranging from inflation to terrorism, said Dawn in its editorial. Thursday's successive wins at the Games in Guangzhou, China, have also infused new spirit among both players and fans which augurs well for the future of Pakistani sports. More importantly, the hockey team's convincing triumph over Malaysia in the final that followed a gut-wrenching semifinal win over South Korea has assured the players a direct berth in the 2012 London Olympics. One hopes that the Asiad euphoria begins to evolve in a manner that does not allow Pakistan's triumph to prove short-lived – the good show must go on. For that to happen, a sincere and consistent approach on the part of officials at the helm of the respective sports federations is of prime importance. The fact is, as many as half a dozen hockey seniors who featured in the Asian Games are in the twilight of their careers. Unfortunately, not enough budding talent is being groomed to fill in their shoes for future challenges. In squash too, serious issues like the absence of training centers continue to hamper the progress of many a talented player. These thorny issues must be sorted out on a priority basis to keep the Pakistan flag flying high on the international circuit.
