Despite strong resistance from the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) introduced significant policy reforms during its Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday.
Key decisions included the establishment of an independent election commission to oversee polls for national sports federations and the creation of a tribunal for addressing disputes and complaints.
Chaired by Advisor to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah, the meeting focused on enhancing transparency in sports governance.
The PSB board approved the introduction of the Pakistan Code of Ethics and Governance in Sports (PCEGS), a framework designed to ensure integrity in the management of sports federations. It aims to combat issues like corruption, nepotism, and doping while adhering to both national laws and international standards.
The independent election commission will oversee transparent elections of sports federations, a decision taken under Islamabad High Court directives and IOC principles. Additionally, the dedicated tribunal will address governance-related disputes with impartiality and speed, ensuring the smoother functioning of federations.
POA President Syed Mohammad Abid Qadri opposed the initiatives, arguing that they constituted government interference in the autonomous operations of sports federations—a stance the International Olympic Committee typically discourages.
The meeting underscored the pressing need for structural reforms in sports. One board member, speaking after the session, lamented the lack of progress in Pakistan’s sports sector.
“It is unacceptable that a nation of over 250 million has just one Olympic gold medallist in Arshad Nadeem,” the board member remarked. “Sports federations have been mismanaged for too long, with some individuals prioritizing perks and trips over performance.”
While the POA President opposed the Code of Ethics, Election Commission, and Tribunal for Sports Governance Disputes, all other board members unanimously approved the decisions.
The reforms mandate the adoption of a Model Constitution for Federations, requiring all sports federations to align their governance frameworks with the IOC Charter and the structures of their respective international federations.
With these sweeping reforms, the government has signaled its intent to overhaul Pakistan’s sports governance, regardless of opposition, to ensure a more transparent and accountable future for its athletes and federations.
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