Standing Committee urges modern sports complexes in KP and Balochistan, increased funding, and stronger provincial coordination to boost sports development.
Pakistan’s National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) has called for the equitable distribution of sports facilities across all provinces, emphasizing the need to provide equal opportunities for young athletes nationwide.
The committee directed the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination to establish modern sports complexes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to strengthen sports infrastructure and ensure balanced development.
The committee met at Parliament House on Thursday under the acting chairmanship of Sheikh Aftab Ahmed. During the meeting, members reviewed the performance of the Ministry of IPC and discussed ongoing efforts aimed at promoting sports and nurturing athletic talent throughout the country.
During a briefing, the Secretary IPC informed the committee that a FIFA Vice President had pledged financial support for the construction of at least two state-of-the-art football grounds in Pakistan. The initiative is expected to enhance football infrastructure and contribute to grassroots development of the sport.
The committee was also informed that the Ministry had received an allocation of Rs1.94 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the upcoming fiscal year.
This allocation represents a significant increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, the Ministry has requested Rs6 billion from the federal government to facilitate preparations for hosting the South Asian Games, which Pakistan is scheduled to host next year.
Officials further revealed that the National Coaching Training Programme is set to commence next month. The initiative aims to train emerging coaches and improve sports development at the grassroots level.
The Ministry highlighted that sports federations are already organizing school competitions, conducting talent hunt programmes, and distributing sports equipment, including kits, hockey sticks, and tracksuits, through public-private partnerships.
The Secretary also noted that daily allowances for Pakistani athletes participating in international events have been increased threefold. Furthermore, Pakistani diplomatic missions abroad have been instructed to actively assist national athletes to support their professional growth and welfare.
The committee stressed that sports federation headquarters and training centres should be spread across all provinces rather than being concentrated in a few regions. Members argued that such a move would improve access to training facilities and encourage wider participation in sports.
In addition, the committee recommended that the Council of Common Interests (CCI) consider allocating a portion of funds received from the World Health Organization (WHO) for sports development.
Members observed that investing in sports infrastructure and talent development would promote physical fitness, mental well-being, and youth engagement across Pakistan.
The committee decided to invite provincial sports secretaries to its next meeting to discuss provincial initiatives and strengthen coordination between federal and provincial authorities for a unified national sports development strategy.