Experts call for National Sports Policy to boost unity, development in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Participants at a roundtable discussion underscored the urgent necessity for a comprehensive national sports policy in Pakistan that engages all key stakeholders.

The event, titled “Shaping the Future of Pakistan’s Sports: Achievements and Challenges,” was hosted by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) in partnership with the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) and the Department of Arts and Media at Foundation University.

Experts emphasized the crucial role of sports in fostering national cohesion and countering extremism, while expressing concerns over the absence of a robust grassroots framework to support sports development in the country.Olympian Sadaf selected for IOC Course abroad

Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program and chief guest, highlighted the essential role of sports in promoting unity and harmony among people from various religious and cultural backgrounds. He further noted that sports can be a powerful tool to divert the youth from extremism.

The experts identified neglect by policymakers, flawed strategies, and inadequate facilities for athletes as significant barriers to the growth of sports in Pakistan.

They called for greater cooperation between policymakers, sports organizations, and private sector stakeholders to enhance the country’s sports infrastructure.

The speakers stressed the need for improved facilities for athletes and increased investment in grassroots programs to discover and nurture emerging talent.

The session concluded with a commitment to advancing collective efforts and ensuring that sports play a central role in Pakistan’s development, both nationally and internationally.