ISLAMABAD, Jul 23 (APP): The 34th meeting of the PSB Board , chaired by Advisor to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan, concluded with several key decisions aimed at promoting transparency in sports governance and safeguarding the rights of young athletes.
The PSB Board approved the Sports Funding Regulations, the establishment of a contributory pension fund, cancellation of initial registrations of three federations, and set an upper age limit of 70 years for office-bearers of national sports federations, said a press release.
Addressing the meeting, Rana Sanaullah, who also holds the portfolio of the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination emphasized that PSB Board members must ensure that federations are smart, transparent, and inclusive of new, capable individuals.
He reaffirmed the full support of the Ministry and the PSB Directorate to all federations.
The Board cancelled the provisional registrations of the Chuckball, Paragliding & Hand Gliding, and Canoeing federations due to failure to submit required documentation post-affiliation. It further made the registration of Basketball, Long Range, and Archery federations conditional upon incorporation with the SECP. The Archery Federation was also directed to verify its election records through PSB.
Regarding the Pakistan Hockey Federation, the Board expressed serious concerns over its failure to provide timely accounts and funding details. The Board showed displeasure over the federation’s conduct. Concerning the invitation to participate in the FIH Pro League, members authorized the PSB President Rana Sanaullah Khan to take the final decision. It was agreed that a formal letter, outlining the rationale and objectives of participation, would be sent by the PSB President to the Prime Minister.
The PSB Board decided to assign oversight of the futsal game to the Pakistan Football Federation, recognizing it as a football-related sport. The case of the Blind Sports Federation was referred to the Panel of Adjudicators for further review. A sub-committee was also formed to evaluate the inclusion of mountaineering in the list of national sports.
The Board appreciated PSB Director General Muhammad Yasser Pirzada’s initiative to formulate a policy aimed at preventing age fraud among junior athletes, recognizing it as a major step toward transparency and merit in sports.
Concluding the meeting, Advisor Rana Sanaullah Khan welcomed the new Board members, Major General Irfan Arshad and Andleeb Sindhu, stating they would play a vital role in advancing sports development in the country. He announced that presidents of sports federations would be specially invited to future Board meetings.
The Board formally approved the Sports Funding Regulations and decided to establish a contributory pension fund to ease the existing pension burden.
Rana Sanaullah instructed that all pension-related matters be aligned with the federal government’s policies.