Pakistan’s sporting scene continues to be plagued by a lack of financial support, and it’s rearing its ugly head again with reports suggesting the country could miss the upcoming Islamic Solidarity Games due to ongoing monetary issues.
According to local media, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has denied sponsorship to several affiliated federations, leaving them scrambling for alternatives ahead of the November 7–21 event.
The situation has forced some sports bodies to make difficult calls. The Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF), despite impressive recent results, has already pulled out of the Games, citing a lack of financial backing. “We cannot send our team. The state isn’t supporting us, and we’re overstretched after four major international events,” a senior PVF official was reportedly quoted as saying to Nukta.
Other federations are determined to push on despite the challenges. The Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) has been asked to bear its own costs but remains committed to fielding a 14-member squad.
The Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) is planning to send a minimal delegation of two athletes, though final decisions are pending due to the absence of a proper training camp. Athletics and swimming are also expected to have representation on their own accord, with Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem poised to defend his title, a rare bright spot in Pakistan’s troubled buildup.
With just a few months to go, the lack of clarity on funding and training camps is threatening to derail Pakistan’s ambitions. Federations are now in urgent discussions with the PSB, hoping for last-minute solutions that will allow the country’s athletes to compete on one of the biggest Islamic sporting stages.
Pakistan has won just sixteen medals at the Islamic Solidarity Games (3 gold, 3 silver, 10 bronze), and now, with the lack of funds, faces another uphill task to add to this tally.
