The federal government has introduced the new ‘National Sports Policy 2026’ to make reforms in the existing sports system of Pakistan.
The government has prepared a draft of the new policy to replace the existing policies after two decades.
The proposed National Sports Policy 2026 seeks to give independence to sports bodies while introducing new measures aimed at improving governance and accountability across the sector.
Under the draft policy, national sports federations and the Pakistan Olympic Association would be allowed to manage their affairs independently in line with the rules and constitutions of their respective international governing bodies.
The federations would be responsible for organising national championships, managing national teams, developing technical regulations and improving coaching and training systems. At the same time, their performance would be reviewed every three months under a proposed accountability framework.
The draft policy also formally reflects the constitutional changes introduced through the 18th Amendment, which made sports a provincial responsibility.
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To improve coordination between federal and provincial authorities, the government has proposed the creation of a National Sports Coordination Council. The council would oversee coordination on national sports matters, help resolve disputes among stakeholders and monitor the implementation of the policy.
Funding is another key part of the proposal. The draft recommends establishing a Sports Development Fund to support sports programmes and activities across the country. It also calls on provincial governments to allocate at least 2% of their annual development budgets to sports.
The policy encourages greater involvement from the private sector. It proposes measures to attract investment in sports leagues, training academies and infrastructure projects. It also supports the growth of professional sports competitions and wider sports broadcasting.
At the grassroots level, the draft recommends making sports competitions a regular feature of schools and colleges. It also proposes a national talent identification programme and a central database to help track and support promising athletes.
Several measures aimed at athlete welfare are included in the proposal. These include contracts, medical insurance and pension schemes for sportsmen and women. The draft also recommends establishing institutions dedicated to sports science, sports medicine and performance analysis.
Officials say the policy is intended to create a more professional and coordinated sports system, with a stronger focus on athlete development and institutional accountability.
The draft is expected to undergo further consultation before a final version is approved.
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