ISLAMABAD  -   Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fehmida Mirza chaired the 24th Meeting of the Board of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) on Wednesday to discuss matters related to sports.

The minister welcomed the new members’ eminent lawyers Ahmed Pansota and Abid Zuberi and Pakistan Tennis Federation (PTF) President Saleem Saifullah to the board. All members held detailed deliberations as the minister steered the meeting in reaching unanimous decisions. They appreciated the untiring efforts which the minister has put in drafting new National Sport Policy and her role in getting FIFA issue resolved. Implementation status of the decisions taken in last meeting was also discussed.

Salim Saifullah expressed his gratitude for inclusion in the board and thanked the minister for her role in bringing international tennis back in the country after 12 years ban in the form of Davis Cup. He also appreciated the sports policy and strengthening of Pakistan Sports Board. The Majority of the Board constituted a subcommittee of four members to implement the policy and to strengthen the regulatory framework including Abid Zuberi, Ahmed Pansota, Saleem Saifullah and DG PSB Asif Zaman.

The Board also discussed the new organogram and approved delegation of powers to the Executive Committee of the board. It approved the grant of Disparity Reduction Allowance 2022 @15% of Basic Pay to the PSB employees subject to the approval of Finance Ministry. The board tasked the relevant officials to issue letters to the provincial governments to set up sports facilities at universities, schools, madrassas, jails and orphanages for the youth and for uniformity of the policy across the federation.

In any other item, letter written by Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for maligning Pakistan government was regretted by the Board. A concern was also raised on the non-implementation of the decisions taken in the last board meeting.

Ahmed Pansota stressed the need for all the NSFs to set up women teams. Abid Zuberi said the new policy and a strong regulatory mechanism as per the best practices in the world was needed. DG PSB Asif Zaman apprised the board about the engagement of the PSB with National Sports Federations and the camps held so far and the hiring of foreign coaches to prepare teams for international events.