36 sportspersons receive cash awards from PSB

In a prestigious ceremony held late on Wednesday, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) paid tribute to a number of national heroes who did the country proud through their outstanding performances in international competitions and events.

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination, Rana Sanaullah Khan, graced the event along with Federal Secretary Mohiuddin Wani and Director General PSB Muhammad Yasir Pirzada.

A total of Rs. 8.2 million in cash awards was distributed among 36 athletes who excelled in various global events.

Among the recipients, Haider Ali, the Paralympic champion, stood out with a PKR 5 million cash award in recognition of his bronze medal win at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem received Rs. 2 million for winning the gold medal at the Asian Championship, while his coach Salman Iqbal Butt received Rs. 600,000. In snooker, Muhammad Asif was awarded Rs. 500,000 for winning a gold medal at the SAARC Snooker Championship, Ahsan Ramzan was awarded Rs. 500,000 for securing a bronze medal in the U-21 Asian Championship, and Muhammad Naseem Akhtar received Rs. 100,000 for his bronze medal in the same event.

In table tennis, Abdal Muhammad Khan received Rs. 250,000 for his silver medal in the U-15 singles category while he and Zunaira Khan received Rs. 187,500 each for their silver medal in the U-15 mixed doubles event.

For the U-15 boys' doubles and U-15/U-19 team events, Abdal and his teammates - Noor Khan, Taha Bilal, Abu Huraira, Attaul Manan, and Moosa Asif - were awarded Rs. 75,000 each.

Special Olympics athletes were also honored for their performances in the World Winter Games. Abdul Saboor Ahmad received Rs. 250,000 for a gold medal in the 400m Snowshoeing event and Rs. 100,000 for a bronze in the 200m event. Muhammad Afaq Khan and Muhammad Moazzam Iqbal were awarded Rs. 250,000 each for gold in their respective events, while Muneeb ur Rehman was honored with Rs. 250,000 for each of his gold medals in 50m and 100m Cross Country Skiing. Relay team members - Abdul Saboor, Afaq, Moazzam, and Ali Raza - were each given Rs. 150,000, as were Minahil, Raveena Qurban, Iqra Akram, Shah Galoon Hayat, and Tabassum for their team contributions.

As part of the federation grants phase, the PSB awarded Rs. 63.9 million to 22 national sports federations under annual and special grant categories. The Athletics Federation of Pakistan received Rs. 10 million, Alpine Club of Pakistan was given Rs. 2.1 million, and Pakistan Badminton Federation was awarded Rs. 1.1 million. The Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation received Rs. 2.5 million, and the Pakistan Handball Federation was provided a special grant of Rs. 5 million.

Further allocations included Rs. 1 million to Pakistan Judo Federation, Rs. 2 million to Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation, and Rs. 3 million to Pakistan Karate Federation. The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation received Rs. 3 million, and the National Rifle Association was allocated Rs. 7 million (including Rs. 2 million as annual and Rs. 5 million as special grant). Pakistan Rugby Union was given Rs. 1.1 million, Winter Sports Federation Pakistan received Rs. 2 million, and the Pakistan Sailing Federation received Rs. 1 million.

Pakistan Squash Federation was allocated Rs. 5 million, Pakistan Swimming Federation and Pakistan Table Tennis Federation were each granted Rs. 2.25 million, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation received Rs. 1.1 million, and Pakistan Tennis Federation got Rs. 1 million. The Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation received Rs. 2.5 million, while the Pakistan Volleyball Federation and Pakistan Wrestling Federation were awarded Rs. 5 million and Rs. 3 million, respectively. The Pakistan Wushu Federation received Rs. 1 million.

In total, the Pakistan Sports Board disbursed Rs. 32.9 million in annual grants and Rs. 31 million in special grants, reflecting the government's commitment to supporting national sports, rewarding athletes, and strengthening the country's sports infrastructure through consistent financial assistance.