Call for comprehensive national sports policy

Speakers at a roundtable discussion emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive national sports policy that involves all relevant stakeholders.

The roundtable, titled "Charting the Course of Pakistan's Sports: Achievements and Challenges," was organised by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) in collaboration with the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) and the Department of Arts and Media at Foundation University. The event was held at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS).

The speakers highlighted the critical role of sports in promoting national unity and combating extremism. However, concerns were raised about the lack of a strong grassroots structure to foster sports development in Pakistan. Neglect by policymakers, flawed strategies, and insufficient facilities for athletes were cited as major obstacles. The absence of coordination between key stakeholders, along with government officials' reluctance to engage with those who manage and monitor sports at all levels.

Prime Minister's Youth Programme Chairman, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, was the chief guest on the occasion. Notable figures from Pakistan's sports community, including legendary hockey player and former captain Shehbaz Ahmed Senior, Olympian Shahnaz Sheikh, Olympian Sadaf Siddiqui, former squash champion Qamar Zaman, tennis star Aisamul Haq Qureshi, Associate Secretary General of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Rizwan ul Haq Razi, and other guests attended the discussion.