Pakistan Sports Board Vows to Uphold Transparency in Federations, Clubs

In a recent visit to the PSB Center in Karachi, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Director General Muhammad Yasir Pirzada stressed the importance of accountability in sports federations, vowing that only transparent and responsible organizations will receive funding in the future. The move comes amid a deeper scrutiny of sport clubs across the country, aimed at verifying the legitimacy and transparency of National Sports Federations (NSFs).

The recent meeting of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) highlighted the significance of sport clubs in the national sports structure, prompting the PSB to initiate a thorough scrutiny process. Provincial sports ministries, departments, boards, and directorates have been instructed to submit detailed reports within 30 days, containing information on club names, locations, office-bearers, and registration details. The goal is to ensure that only genuine and well-structured organizations operate nationwide, contributing to the development and quality of sports in Pakistan.

The move is also aimed at strengthening the PSB's stance against the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and national sports federations, which have been at odds since the implementation of the National Sports Policy 2005. This new process may lead to the emergence of parallel bodies at the national federation level, potentially creating issues for Pakistan's participation in the South Asian Games 2025. The PSB has directed provincial sports boards to scrutinize clubs at the city level to assess the genuineness of national sports federations, with required information to be submitted by January 25.

During his visit, Pirzada also took the opportunity to address concerns related to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) elections and clarified that the PSB does not recognize Rana Mujahid as the Secretary of the PHF. He also oversaw doping tests for 150 Pakistani athletes under the guidance of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), emphasizing the PSB's commitment to maintaining cleanliness and transparency in sports. The PSB is set to collaborate on future projects at the National Coaching Center in Karachi, fostering a robust sporting landscape in the country.

As the PSB takes a firmer stance on accountability, it remains to be seen how this new approach will impact the country's sports landscape and the implications for the PHF and other national sports federations. One thing is certain, however - the pursuit of transparency and legitimacy will be a top priority for the PSB moving forward, ensuring that the integrity of Pakistan's sports establishment is upheld.