Nepotism Shocks Balochistan Archery Team at 35th National Games; Selected Players Protest Exclusion

KARACHI/QUETTA – The **Balochistan Archery Association’s alleged favoritism** sparked protests after selected players were **replaced by non-qualified individuals** during the 35th National Games. The incident left talented athletes and the public outraged.

According to reports, the **girls’ archery team** originally included **Rida Fatima, Ruhama Qadeer, Hanata Ali, and Sakina Shah**, while the **boys’ team** had **Sameeullah Bukhari, Jaleel Ahmed, Elyasi Mousavi, and Haider Ali**. These athletes underwent rigorous training and traveled to Karachi to compete.

However, at the last moment, **Rida Fatima was replaced by Shukriya Bibi**, who had ranked **seventh in trials**, while **Sameeullah Bukhari was substituted with an unrelated individual named Wajid**. The selected players **confronted the Association**, but were met with threats of bans, and the association **insisted on including their preferred candidates**.

The protesting athletes reported the matter to **Secretary Sports Balochistan Dara Baloch, Balochistan Olympic Association’s Gul Muhammad Kakr, and Pakistan Archery Federation officials**, who assured that **strict action would be taken**.

The excluded players expressed that this **unjust treatment not only affected their morale but also tarnished Balochistan’s reputation**. They called for a **neutral investigation and strict administrative action** against those responsible, urging that sports be **kept free from politics and favoritism**, with **merit and talent prioritized**.

Local media, sports authorities, and citizens have **condemned the nepotism**, emphasizing that such incidents should not recur to ensure fair opportunities for all hardworking athletes.