The Pakistan Olympic Association has proposed a performance-based funding model for national sports federations under the proposed National Sports Policy 2026, aiming to improve accountability and enhance the development of sports across the country.
Read More: Pakistan Olympic Association flays ‘misleading information’
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, POA President Arif Saeed said the association had prepared a document based on Qatar’s sports funding system and would submit its recommendations to the government. The proposal suggests that financial grants should be awarded according to the activities and achievements of federations rather than individual influence or administrative considerations.
MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN SPORTS.
Pakistan is set for a major reset in sports governance as the federal govt moves ahead with the proposed National Sports Policy 2026, after nearly two decades, aiming to overhaul how sport is run in the country. The draft proposes sweeping… pic.twitter.com/7Jvs9lB04E— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) May 29, 2026
Under the proposed framework, national sports federations would be divided into categories based on their performance and level of activity. Arif explained that federations organizing more competitions and development programs should receive greater financial support, while those with limited activities would receive smaller allocations.
He welcomed the government’s efforts to introduce a new national sports policy and emphasized that meaningful progress in sports could only be achieved through cooperation between state institutions and sports organizations. According to him, both the government and federation officials share responsibility for the challenges facing sports in Pakistan.
The POA chief also endorsed a proposal included in the draft policy recommending that federal and provincial governments allocate two percent of their development budgets to sports. However, he cautioned that such commitments would need effective implementation to produce meaningful results.
The press conference was attended by a delegation from the Olympic Council of Asia, which is visiting Pakistan in connection with activities promoting the 20th Asian Games scheduled to be held in Japan in September 2027.
Read More: Pakistan Olympic Association forms probe committee
Meanwhile, POA Secretary Khalid Mahmood said the Pakistan Sports Board had agreed to support 123 athletes and officials for the Games. He added that Pakistan is expected to send a contingent of approximately 235 to 250 athletes and officials to the continental event.