22nd meeting of the Board of Pakistan Sports Board

Islamabad: 22nd meeting of the Board of Pakistan Sports Board was held on Thursday, 17th September, 2020 at 1200 hours in the Committee Room of Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination, Kohsar Block, Islamabad. The meeting was presided-over by Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Federal Minister for IPC/President, Pakistan Sports Board.

The Minister for IPC welcomed all the participants attending this meeting. Dr. Fehmida Mirza, President, PSB highlighted the importance of this meeting as Board of the PSB has been reduced under the vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan. This Board has Ex-officio, three sports federations, Higher Education Commission, NESPAK, Pakistan Olympic Association and members from private sector. This Board will have to take important decisions to create sports culture and to promote the less developed areas keeping in view the government policy and economic challenges. As you are well aware that private sector support the games and elite sportspersons all over the world. I am confident that members from private sector will take keen interest for the promotion and development of sports in the country. The Board while considering the criteria for sanctioning grants-in-aid to the National Sports Federations affiliated with the Board approved the following criteria:

Government funding will be provided only on the basis of performance of the NSFs.

Government funding will be given only to legitimate NSFs having structure from local club/tehsil to national level.

NSFs will submit annual activity calendar alongwith budget estimate during the month of March for next financial year so that their proposals could be incorporated in the budget of PSB.

NSFs will submit statement of accounts duly audited by the reputable audit firm for the previous financial year and the grant is released only on receipt of these accounts.

The Minister for IPC informed that Government has decided to form National Ant-Doping Governing Board to foster dope free culture in Pakistan. This Board will consists of the representatives of PSB, PCB, POA, Health Division and Law Division. The Board will protect the rights of the athletes and maintain the integrity of sports and to provide awareness about consequences of doping to the sports community.

The scope and functions of Pakistan Sports Board have been considered in the wake of 18th amendment in the constitution and this necessitates the paradigm shift in the working of the Board. There is an urgent need to curtail unnecessary expenditure and to embark upon the policy envisaging the decrease in expenditure and increase in revenue generation for sporting activities in line with the vision of present Government. The Board has decided to approve the engagement of a professional consultant for carrying out the restructuring and revamping of PSB to make PSB a professional, lean, efficient and effective entity.

The 22nd Board of PSB also ratified the administrative, sports activities and repair/maintenance expenditure incurred by the Pakistan Sports Board. The Board also allowed PSB to upgrade or develop sports infrastructure through private sector on gratis basis after completion of all procedural formalities. The Minister for IPC has informed the house that present Government has allocated an amount of Rs.1949.606 million in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for Repair/renovation and Upgradation of Existing Facilities at Pakistan Sports Complex and Rs.295.572 million for PSB Coaching Centre, Peshawar keeping in view the holding of upcoming international events in Pakistan.

President, POA spoke about the holding of 14th South Asian Games in Pakistan. The Minister for IPC responded that we will hold another exclusive meeting of the Board wherein, the whole issue will be deliberated for decision. Major Gen (R) Muhammad Akram Sahi, President, Athletics Federation of Pakistan told that international competitions invariable generate tremendous interest in the public. They provide an opportunity to public to see the top ranking Pakistani and foreign sportsmen in action. He informed that I can bring Asian level athletic competition in Pakistan with adequate financial and technical support of the Government of Pakistan. You all will be happy to note that Mr. Arshad Nadeem has qualified to participate in the next Olympics. He is the only athlete who qualified directly for the Olympics.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Ghufran Memon, Secretary, Ministry of IPC, Lt. Gen (R) Syed Arif Hassan, R/Admiral Moazzam Ilyas, President, Services Sports Control Board, President, POA, Major Gen. (R) Muhammad Akram Sahi, President, Athletics Federation of Pakistan, Mr. Tahir Masood, Managing Director, NESPAK, Mr. Shafiq Abbasi, Noramed Pharmaceutical, and Mr. Awais Ahmed, Advisor of HEC. Mr. Mansoor Ahmed Khan, DDG (Admn) and Mr. Muhammad Azam Dar, DDG (Tech), PSB were present at the occasion.