ISLAMABAD: After much hue and cry, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has released funding for 16 sports federations worth Rs21.5 million.

The PSB gave cheques to 16 federations on Monday, which according to PSB’s spokesperson Azam Dar, federations on Tuesday submitted for clearance in banks. “All the federations in questions have submitted cheques, which will be cleared tonight,” he said.

Throughout the year, the sports federation kept demanding the funds, and finally, the PSB on Monday — just a day, before the closing of financial year gave cheques to 16 federations worth Rs 21.5 million. While, three federations, Judo, Volleyball and Badminton had been given grant of Rs1.5 million each some months ago.

The 16 federations, which got grant on Monday include: Athletics Federation of Pakistan (2 million), Pakistan Billiards & Snooker Association (2 million), Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation (1.5 million), Kabaddi Federation (2 million), Pakistan Karate Federation (one million), National Rifle Association of Pakistan (two million), Netball Federation (one million), Pakistan Squash Federation (1.5 million), Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (one million), Tennis Federation (1.50 million), Pakistan Weightlifting Federation (one million), Pakistan Wrestling Federation (one million), hockey federation (1.50 million).

Meanwhile, a statement of Sports Board said that Federal Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fehmida Mirza who is also President of Pakistan Sports Board took the initiative to provide grants-in-aid to the affiliated National Sports Federations (NSFs).

“The Pakistan Sports Board released funds amounting to Rs25.00 million during the present fiscal year for disbursement among the NSFs,” the statement said.

It said PSB has advised the sports federations to spend this amount on the training and coaching of the sportspersons and to refrain from spending on the administrative matters such as office expenses and the payment of salaries.

Besides that amount, the PSB stated it has also born expenditure amounting to Rs71.00 million on the participation of Pakistani contingent in the 13th South Asian Games held in Nepal in 2019.

PSB also distributed cash prizes to the tune of Rs.111.50 million among the medal winners of the 13th South Asian Games during the fiscal year 2019-20 under the approved Cash Award Policy.

Moreover, the PSB said that Rs 5 million from Pakistan Sports Foundation Relief Fund were released to the 55 old sportspersons during the Covid-19 pandemic to support them financially at this critical juncture.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2020