Pakistan's sports federations face funding issues ahead of Islamic Games

The Pakistan Sports Board’s (PSB) puzzling stance of either completely refusing sponsorship or offering only partial financial support to several national sports federations for the upcoming Islamic Games has put many federations in a difficult position.

As a result, some federations have been forced to drop plans to send their teams to the Islamic Games scheduled to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from November 7 to 21.

The PSB appears either constrained by financial limitations or is allegedly using funding as a tool to penalize federations that do not strictly adhere to its policies and directives. Several federations have been denied financial support outright and instructed to fund their squads independently. In other cases, the Board has agreed to sponsor a limited number of athletes, leaving the federations to cover the remaining costs.

To make matters worse, there are no training camps in place so far, despite the high competitive level expected at the Games, which will feature Olympic and world champions in several disciplines.

In response, officials from various federations are actively engaging with the PSB, requesting full sponsorship for their respective contingents. The coming days are critical as final squad selections are still pending.

Among the affected federations is the Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) which has already withdrawn its team due to lack of support.

“Yes, we cannot send our team to the Islamic Games. The state is not supporting us and we are financially overstretched after sending teams to four major international events recently,” a senior PVF official told Nukta.

“Our chairman Chaudhry Mohammad Yaqub, is also unwell. Had he been in good health he might have arranged sponsors. But under the current circumstances, participation is not feasible,” the official added.

Similarly, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) has been asked to bear its own expenses. Despite this, the PTF is determined to send a 14-member contingent.

“Yes, the Board told us to arrange our own funding, and InshaAllah we will manage. Our team is currently training in Tehran. We plan to send six male and four female athletes to the Games,” a PTF official confirmed.

Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) is also aiming to send a small squad comprising one male and one female athlete along with an official. However, a senior PKF official said that final decisions are pending and training camps have not yet been organized.

Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) intends to send three to four wrestlers along with a coach. A senior official said trials will be held on September 12 in Gujranwala.

“We’ll conduct trials in four weight categories: 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, and 97kg. We are also considering short-term foreign training. If that’s not possible, we’ll organize a domestic camp, likely in Gujranwala,” the official stated.

“The Islamic Games will feature elite competition including Olympic and world medalists but we have strong wrestlers capable of producing surprises,” he added.

Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) and Pakistan Swimming Federation (PSF) are in the process of finalizing their squads.

Olympic champions Arshad Nadeem will defend his title in the Islamic Games.

Kabaddi, meanwhile, will not feature in the Games despite efforts by Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran, and Bangladesh to include the sport. In a recent meeting relating to the Islamic Games, kabaddi was discussed, but it was conveyed that the event program had already been finalized, leaving no room for additions.

Tennis has also been excluded from the Games.

“Unfortunately, tennis is not included in the Islamic Games so we are not participating,” Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Aisam-ul-Haq told Nukta.