Draft of new “National Sports Policy 2026” formulated after 20 years
Draft of new National Sports Policy 2026 formulated after 20 years
By Nawaz Gohar ; The Federal Government has formulated the draft of the new National Sports Policy 2026, marking the first major policy overhaul in two decades. Under the proposed framework, the government has decided to grant complete administrative autonomy to national sports federations and the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).
According to the draft policy, federations will now operate independently in accordance with the constitutions of their respective international governing bodies. To align with the constitutional shifts of the 18th Amendment, the draft proposes the establishment of a “National Sports Coordination Council” to oversee administrative governance across the country.
Furthermore, the policy recommends the creation of a dedicated “Sports Development Fund” and proposes that provincial governments allocate a minimum of 2% of their Annual Development Programme (ADP) specifically to sports development.
The policy strongly emphasizes encouraging private sector investment in sports leagues, high-performance academies, and infrastructure development, while driving the growth of professional leagues and sports broadcasting. Additionally, it mandates compulsory sports competitions at the school and college levels, alongside the creation of a national talent hunt system and a centralized athlete database.
In a landmark move for player welfare, the policy proposes formal central contracts, comprehensive medical insurance, and a pension scheme for athletes. It also envisions the establishment of specialized institutes for sports sciences, sports medicine, and data analytics.
To ensure accountability, the performance of national sports federations will undergo a rigorous review every three months. The ultimate objective of the National Sports Policy 2026 is to transition the country’s sporting ecosystem from bureaucratic control to autonomous governance.
