LAHORE: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has prepared a document based on Qatar’s sports funding model and will propose its recommendations to the government for the allocation of grants to national sports federations under the proposed National Sports Policy 2026.

The initial draft of the policy has been circulated among national sports federations for feedback.

Addressing a press conference alongside a delegation from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) here on Sunday, POA president Arif Saeed said meaningful progress in sports could only be achieved through cooperation between the government and sports federations.

The OCA delegation is in Lahore to oversee activities related to the Fun Run being organised on Monday in connection with the 20th Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Japan in September next year.

“Last year, I said that the only way to put sports in Pakistan on the right track is for the government and the national sports federations to work together. Without that, no significant achievement is possible,” Arif said.

He welcomed the government’s initiative to formulate a new sports policy and said the POA had developed a document outlining a performance-based funding mechanism.

“I thank Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for introducing the new sports policy. We have prepared a document based on the Qatari model, under which grants should be allocated to federations on the basis of their activities and performance rather than personalities,” he said.

Arif proposed categorising federations into A, B and C groups according to the volume and quality of their activities.

“Many federations organise only one senior and one junior national championship annually, which is not enough. We will suggest that grants be distributed according to activity levels and performance,” he added.

The POA chief acknowledged that responsibility for the poor state of sports in Pakistan did not rest solely with the government.

“Some office-bearers of sports federations have also failed to play their role effectively. The POA’s responsibility is to maintain a balance between the government and federations and facilitate cooperation for the promotion of sports,” he said.

Referring to a proposal in the draft policy that both federal and provincial governments allocate two per cent of their development budgets to sports, Arif termed it a positive recommendation but cautioned that similar proposals in other sectors had often not been implemented in letter and spirit.

He stressed the importance of regularly organising youth games to identify and nurture emerging talent.

“Recent examples in cricket show that players from the Under-19 system have progressed directly to the national team. Consistent youth competitions can transform the future of sports in Pakistan,” he said.Fun Run activities.

Welcoming the OCA delegation, Arif said a painting competition linked to the Fun Run was held at the POA headquarters on Sunday, with schoolchildren from across the country participating both physically and virtually.

The Fun Run will be held at Lahore College for Women University on Monday.

Head of the OCA delegation Hiroshi Sakai said the event was intended to celebrate the values of the Olympic and Asian sporting movements.

“The Fun Run is being organised to promote friendship, unity, excellence and healthy living,” Sakai said.

“The initiative aims to engage athletes, students, sports leaders, families and communities across Asia while building excitement and awareness ahead of the Asian Games.”

Other members of the delegation included Azusa Dodo, Anthony Al Tahech and Zahid Hafeez.

Sakai appreciated the preparations for the event and praised the painting competition for encouraging young people to engage with the Asian Games through art.

A total of 156 artworks were received, with four shortlisted by a committee that included members of the visiting delegation. The selected entries will be forwarded to the organising committee of the Asian Games for display during the event.

Meanwhile, POA secretary Khalid Mahmood said the Pakistan Sports Board had agreed to sponsor 123 athletes and officials for the Games.

He said 23 national sports federations had expressed interest in participating, while several others planned to send contingents on a self-finance basis.

“Overall, between 235 and 250 athletes and officials are expected to represent Pakistan at the Asian Games,” Khalid said.

The 20th Asian Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in September next year.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026