After nearly twenty years, the federal government has initiated a comprehensive reform of Pakistan’s sports administration by presenting the draft National Sports Policy 2026. This policy aims to provide greater independence to national sports federations while clearly defining the responsibilities of federal and provincial authorities.
Prepared by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), the draft has been circulated among national sports federations for feedback, with a deadline for recommendations set for June 2. The policy is expected to be approved soon by the federal cabinet.
A key aspect of the draft is the operational autonomy it proposes for national sports federations. These bodies would be allowed to manage their affairs independently, provided they adhere to governance standards established by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), comply with international federation regulations, and maintain accountability for performance.
Federations would retain control over organizing national championships, managing national teams, and developing technical and training frameworks. The draft also emphasizes transparent elections, fixed tenure limits, and independent audits, suggesting that federations could conduct their own electoral processes without direct government interference.
The issue of autonomy has historically been a source of tension in Pakistan’s sports sector. Following the National Sports Policy of 2005, the PSB attempted to restrict office tenures within the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and other federations, leading to prolonged disputes between sporting bodies and the government. This conflict escalated when the International Olympic Committee raised concerns about state interference, warning Pakistan of potential sanctions in 2015 before the POA was ultimately recognized as an autonomous entity.
In a significant development, the new draft reiterates that the POA will remain independent under the Olympic Charter, continuing to oversee Olympic participation, international representation, and coordination with global sports organizations.
To tackle persistent administrative fragmentation, the policy proposes establishing a National Sports Coordination Council (NSCC) under the IPC ministry. This council would comprise federal and provincial sports ministers, the PSB director general, the POA president, representatives from sports federations, and a nominee from the Higher Education Commission.
The NSCC’s mandate would include resolving disputes, facilitating coordination between provinces and federations, monitoring policy implementation, and managing international commitments. The draft formally recognizes sports as a provincial subject under the 18th Constitutional Amendment, limiting the federal government’s role to policy coordination, fulfilling international obligations, setting standards, and providing strategic funding.
Meanwhile, provincial governments would assume primary responsibility for infrastructure development, grassroots programs, talent identification, and organizing provincial competitions. The policy also recommends establishing Provincial Sports Authorities and provincial sports endowment funds nationwide.
Addressing financial challenges, the draft introduces a National Sports Development Fund. This fund would be financed through federal and provincial budget allocations, sponsorships, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and media rights revenues. Provinces would be encouraged to allocate at least two percent of their Annual Development Programmes to sports development.
The policy further promotes public-private partnerships to attract investments in leagues, academies, and sports infrastructure, offering tax incentives to boost sponsorships.
At the grassroots level, the draft mandates inter-school and college competitions, the creation of a national athlete database, and a comprehensive talent pathway system linking local institutions to the federal level.
Officials from various sports federations have acknowledged receipt of the draft and indicated that consultations will be held before submitting final recommendations. While many have welcomed the proposed reforms, they emphasized the need for a thorough review before endorsing the policy.
