The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has released its annual budget for the fiscal year 2024_2025, allocating a total of Rs 101.996 million to 23 national sports federations. This move aims to boost development across various sports disciplines in the country and prepare athletes for upcoming international events.
Budget Structure: Annual vs Special Grants
The total budget is split into two categories:
Annual Grants: Rs35.9 million
Special Grants: Rs 66.09 million
Special grants are typically given for specific events, international participation, or high-performance initiatives, while annual grants are meant for regular operations and development.
Focus on Revival and Results
The Pakistan Hockey Federation received the highest amount, Rs30.92 million, entirely as a special grant, reflecting efforts to revive the national sport. The Athletics Federation of Pakistan was allocated Rs14.17 million, signaling support for track and field athletes in upcoming competitions.
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Other notable allocations include:
National Rifle Association: Rs7 million
Handball, Squash, and Ju-Jitsu Federations: Rs5 million each
Volleyball Federation: Rs5 million (annual)
Limited Support for Key Sports
Several active federations received modest funds despite their regular participation in national events. These include:
Badminton, Rugby, Taekwondo: Rs1.1 million each
Wushu, Sailing, and Billiards & Snooker: Rs1 million each
Such disparities have raised questions about the basis of allocation, especially when sports with growing popularity and achievements receive minimal support.
Rising Demand for Transparency
The uneven distribution of funds has triggered renewed calls for transparency and performance-based funding. Critics argue that funding should be directly linked to performance, governance quality, and long-term athlete development plans.
With some federations receiving significant amounts without recent success, concerns about mismanagement and lack of oversight remain strong. Sports analysts and athletes alike are urging the government to implement accountability mechanisms and audits.
Looking Ahead
This year’s allocation signals the government’s willingness to invest in sports, but results will depend on how effectively the federations use the funds. Real development requires strategic planning, grassroots investment, and measurable outcomes.
The coming months will be crucial in observing whether this budget brings actual progress, or merely adds to the ongoing cycle of underperformance and misallocation..
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