The recent poor performance of subcontinent countries in the London Olympics proves that like other areas of life, sports is also falling in these countries. Pakistan's 23-member Olympic team could not get a single medal in any event. Pakistan's hockey team lost an important match against Australia 7-0 and the performance of other athletes was also very average. India has a population which is greater than the US and China, but the Indian team only managed to get three medals. The Indian hockey team ended in the twelfth position on the points table. The true reality is that political influence and poor training facilities are the main cause of the poor performance of athletes and hockey players from the subcontinent. In key sports most appointments are politically motivated. Both India and Pakistan have very poor training facilities and athletes who come from poor areas do not have the financial support of their government. Due to the popularity of cricket in Pakistan and India, the governments of both countries are unable to encourage other sports. Several small, poor African countries manage to get medals in track and field and other sports events. In the end due to a lack of government support, poor training facilities, financial difficulties and poor stamina, athletes from the subcontinent cannot compete with those from the US, China and Europe. Khawaja Umer Farooq, Jeddah
