Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Inter Provincial Coordination convened its 13th meeting today under the Acting Chairmanship of Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, Member of the National Assembly, to discuss the current status and future plans for sports development in Pakistan. Key topics included financial allocations, infrastructure development, and the equitable distribution of sports facilities across the country.
According to National Assembly of Pakistan, Secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination provided a detailed briefing on the Ministry’s performance and initiatives. Highlights included a commitment from FIFA’s Vice President for financial support to establish two modern football fields in Pakistan. The Ministry has been allocated PKR 1.94 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme for the upcoming year, marking a notable increase from the previous year. Additionally, a request for an additional PKR 6 billion has been made for the hosting of the South Asian Federation Games in Pakistan next year.
The Secretary also announced the launch of the National Coaching Training Programme, aimed at training young coaches and enhancing sports development at the grassroots level. The Ministry’s initiatives, supported by public-private partnerships, include school-level competitions and talent hunt programs. A significant increase in daily allowances for national athletes representing Pakistan overseas was also noted, along with directives for Pakistan’s missions abroad to support athletes’ professional development.
Despite these positive developments, the Committee expressed concern over the concentration of sports facilities in Punjab and Islamabad, urging for a more equitable distribution across all provinces. It recommended the establishment of sports complexes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to provide young athletes in these regions with modern training facilities. The Committee also suggested that the Council of Common Interests consider allocating a portion of WHO funds for sports promotion.
To enhance coordination, the Committee decided to invite Provincial Secretaries of Sports to its next meeting to discuss provincial initiatives and stressed the need for a unified strategy between the Federation and provinces for sports development. Several members of the National Assembly and Ministry officials attended the meeting, underscoring the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting sports across Pakistan.