In a significant development for Pakistan’s sporting landscape, the federal government has reportedly decided to bring back departmental sports, a move aimed at creating sustainable employment for athletes and restoring a system that once served as the backbone of domestic competition.
The decision follows a directive of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who stressed the need to re‑establish departmental teams and provide long‑term job security to players. The initiative is expected not only to safeguard the livelihoods of athletes but also to strengthen the country’s sporting structure through institutional backing and sponsorship opportunities.
According to The Nation, a high‑level meeting chaired by Federal Secretary for Inter‑Provincial Coordination (IPC) Mohyuddin Wani brought together officials from government departments, sports federations, and other stakeholders. The meeting reviewed proposals to assign each sport to the patronage of a dedicated department, reviving the old system in which institutions such as PIA, WAPDA, Railways, and banks were central to Pakistan’s sporting ecosystem.
One key suggestion discussed was the introduction of a grading system for elite sports, aimed at streamlining resource allocation and ensuring that high‑performing athletes receive greater institutional support.
For decades, departmental teams served as a financial safety net for local athletes. Their absence, sports officials argue, not only damaged the careers of countless players but also disrupted the pipeline feeding national teams.
The revival of this system has been welcomed by the sporting fraternity, with many hoping it will restore trust and stability.
By placing sports under the wing of government departments, the plan is to provide a sustainable ecosystem in which players are not forced to choose between financial survival and pursuing their athletic dreams.