Federal Minister for Planning and Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), Ahsan Iqbal, inaugurated the National Conference on Sports Revival in Islamabad on Friday, underlining the government’s dedication to enhancing Pakistan’s sports landscape.
Designating 2025 as the year of sports revival in Pakistan, the minister affirmed his resolve to elevate the country’s sports to unprecedented levels. “We are making every effort to uplift Pakistan’s sports,” he asserted. He stressed the significance of the conference in revitalizing and enhancing sports in the nation. “Victory is not just achieved on the field but also needs to be ingrained in the mindset,” he remarked at a local hotel.
He vowed to extend comprehensive support to Pakistan’s talented athletes, citing the country’s vast pool of talent. The objective of today’s conference is to extend broad-based backing to these athletes, he added.
Ahsan unveiled several initiatives to promote sports, including preparations for the 2028 Olympics, the promotion of institutional sports, and the establishment of an endowment fund for players. He also mentioned the installation of astro-turfs to promote sports from the grassroots level. The minister noted that despite Pakistan’s population of 250 million, the country struggled to qualify for even five sports in the Olympics. He emphasized the need to eradicate doping in sports, highlighting the failure to hold the National Games despite allocated funds in 2016 and 2017.
Ahsan criticized the previous PTI government for dismantling departmental sports structures, which he argued impeded sports development. He pledged to write to all departments to reinstate sports within a week.
Highlighting the importance of sports revival, Ahsan stated that a nation’s character is reflected in its sports. He underscored the necessity of investing in youth and sports infrastructure to foster a vibrant sports culture in Pakistan, crucial for building a positive national image and promoting unity and pride.
Ahsan announced Pakistan’s hosting of the South Asian Games in 2025 and expressed ambitions for the country to become one of the top ten economies in the world, including in the sports sector. Plans to hire foreign coaches to develop sports in Pakistan were also revealed.
With a renewed focus on sports development, Pakistan seeks to reclaim its position as a sporting nation and inspire a new generation of athletes and citizens. The conference convened sports officials, athletes, and other stakeholders to explore avenues for reviving Pakistan’s sports sector.
