Key Takeaways
- Parliamentary committee delays consideration of National Sports Policy 2026.
- Minister Rana Sanuallah Khan's absence from committee meetings prompts criticism.
- Committee reviews progress on Long Term Athlete Development Programme.
The Senate Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) has deferred the consideration of the proposed National Sports Policy 2026, citing the need for input from all provinces. The committee, chaired by Senator Dilawar Khan, stated that the draft would be taken up once provincial feedback was received and incorporated.
The committee expressed frustration over the continuous absence of Minister for IPC, Rana Sanuallah Khan, from the committee meetings. Senator Dilawar Khan directed the secretary IPC to ensure the minister's presence in the next meeting, emphasizing the importance of political decisions and timely briefings on matters of national importance.
The committee reviewed the broader reform agenda for the country's sports sector, including the Long Term Athlete Development Programme (LTADP), launched by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) in March. This programme aims to move sports federations away from annual grant-dependent operations towards structured 10- to 12-year performance plans, covering grassroots talent development, coaching certification, and the integration of sports science.
According to officials, 16 out of the 43 recognised national sports federations had submitted their LTADP plans to the joint monitoring committee for review. The committee also examined progress on a Rs25.347 million PSDP-funded project for a multipurpose sports complex and padel courts in Faisalabad. The project is currently in the procurement process, with two technical bidders having qualified following evaluation by the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NesPak).
Committee members called for the project to be expedited so that the facilities could be made available to the public without further delay. For stronger federal-provincial coordination on sports infrastructure and regional venue access, the chairman directed that the IPC minister and provincial chief secretaries be invited to future committee meetings.
The committee's decision to defer the National Sports Policy 2026 highlights the ongoing challenges in aligning provincial and federal interests in the governance of Pakistan's sports sector. The delay underscores the need for comprehensive input and collaboration to ensure the effective implementation of the policy.
While the committee is committed to reviewing the policy, the absence of key officials and the ongoing delays in project implementation raise concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of the current governance structure in the sports sector.
The Long Term Athlete Development Programme (LTADP) remains a critical component of the proposed policy, with the potential to significantly enhance the development and performance of athletes in Pakistan. However, the current delays may impact the timely implementation of this programme.
