Major backlash expected over PSB's new tenure rules

A strong backlash is expected from national sports federations following the Pakistan Sports Board’s (PSB) decision to introduce the National Sports Federations Tenure Rules 2025.

Among the most controversial clauses is the prohibition of chairmen and CEOs or equivalent designations within the federations.

The new rules have sparked concern among federations many of which are beginning to strategize on how best to challenge what they view as a violation of both their autonomy and the Lausanne Agreement.

“Yes, we are working on it and it is unacceptable. We will pursue legal options to tackle this matter,” a senior official of a national federation told Nukta.

Another official said the matter would be taken to the general council of the federation.

“Our constitution is approved by the International Federation and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA). This move is both strange and destabilizing. It will disrupt our entire structure,” the official stated.

Under these rules no federation will be able to have the portfolios of chairmen or CEOs or any equivalent post. The maximum age-limit has also been fixed as 70 years for all the office-bearers, a clause which counters POA’s rule where the maximum age-limit is 75 years.

“The maximum age limit for election as an office bearer shall be 70 years. Upon attaining this age the individual shall become ineligible to continue holding office regardless of whether their current four-year term has been completed or not.”

The rules also say that “a person shall be eligible to contest for the next higher post, but shall not be allowed to contest for a lower position than the one previously held.”

“No office-bearer of a federation shall simultaneously hold office in any other national sports federation except in the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).”

The rules say that an official may serve a maximum of two terms (each of four years) in any given office, thereby limiting tenure to a total of eight years. Furthermore, no individual who has held a senior office may contest for a lower-level post.

“In the event that a position becomes vacant during a term, it shall be filled through election and the new tenure shall be counted as part of the overall eight-year limit,” the rules say.

“The highest position in the federation shall be that of the president. No other title or designation such as chairman, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) or any equivalent shall exist within the federation,” the rules added.

Federations have been granted 90 days to align their constitutions with the new rules.

The PSB Director General has been authorized to inquire into any violation of these rules.

“Upon being satisfied by violation the DG may impose a ban on the office bearer from holding office in any national federation for a period of not less than four years and not more than six years,” PSB stated.

“Any person sanctioned under these regulations shall be ineligible to receive any benefits during the period of the ban, including but not limited to financial assistance, grants, access to public or private sports infrastructure, advisory role or board memberships

“If a sanctioned person willfully defies the imposition of ban under these rules the DG may recommend to the government of Pakistan appropriate legal or administrative action including disqualification from holding any public office in accordance with applicable laws and rules.

PSB's move may create a major chaos

“Failure to comply shall result in suspension, withdrawal of funding and ineligibility for affiliation with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).”

The move of the Board to kickout influential people of national federations may create a big chaos in Pakistan’s sports.

As the state has already committed with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that it will follow principles of non-interference in the organizations and the entities relating to sports so it is seen that a conflict will be created and the things can go towards litigation also.

It would be seen what a key role Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) may play in the whole exercise.

It is also expected that POA will invite a general council to discuss this matter of urgent importance. Nukta has learnt that the POA’s chief Arif Saeed is abroad and upon his return things would become clear whether a general council meeting is required.

Majority of the key federations will be affected by the rules. Some big guns are going to be hit by its enactment also including the Pakistan Volleyball Federation’s (PVF) chairman and former IG Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqoob, Pakistan Karate Federation’s (PKF) chairman Mohammad Jehangir and Pakistan Swimming Federation’s (PSF) chairman Major Majid Wasim.

Similarly, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation’s (PTF) president Col Wasim’s tenure as president will expire in January 2026 and he would like to get promoted to the chairman slot. There are a few other federations who not only have chairmen but their other office-bearers also seem to have been hit by the rules.

The PSB took this step at a time when Pakistan will be fielding in major international events in the coming one and a half year. The nation also has to host the 14th South Asian Games and it was a proper time to have all federations on board in order to achieve the desired targets.

Some federations are even ready to disaffiliate themselves from the PSB in the current scenario. So, it would be interesting to see how things unfold in coming days.