PSB entitles all athletes for health insurance

ISLAMABAD: The core group of athletes of all the recognised sports federations will now be entitled to health insurance. The decision was reached in Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) 86th Executive Committee meeting held in Islamabad Thursday.

Director General PSB Aamir Ali Ahmad who tabled the idea got an immediate recognition from the members, enabling all the leading active national players to have an insurance cover. “Now the core team members of all the recognized sports federations will be covered with health insurance. I think it is a big breakthrough as from here on all the leading athletes would have peace of mind while training and doing all the required tough exercises to excel in their respective sport,” claimed DG PSB. The PSB board has decided to insure athlete from the government owned State Life Insurance. “Instead of looking to a private firm, we have decided to ensure players from government owned State Life.”

The PSB is expected to complete all the necessary formalities within next three months. “In coordination with affiliated federations we would finalise all the requirements shortly.” The PSB would also examine the possibility of getting life insurance for leading players even after their retirement.

The News has learnt that the health insurance of players is expected to cost government Rs 10 million per year. The PSB Executive Committee meeting that was chaired by IPC Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Peerzada also stressed the need to have regular financial support for sports development. “There should be a system where the flow of finance should be regular for PSB.” The government has also decided to donate Rs one million for late Mansoor Ahmad family. “The committee members expressed deep condolence on the demise of hockey legend. It has also been decided to name the proposed new second turf at Bunda Stadium-which will soon be given the status of mini stadium-on Mansoor Ahmad name.”

Executive Committee also sanctioned Rs 1million for Mrs. Zarina Waqar (former badminton player/coach). She remained under treatment at Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital, Lahore for the last five years.

Secretary IPC Abu Ahmad Akif who is accustomed to table un-sportsman like ideas again got a cold response from the house when he tabled a move aiming at using the Sports Complex facilities for fund generating. It was observed that since the venue is only meant for sports activities, there was no place for using the space for fanfares or anything like that.

Even the idea of having aquarium near the swimming pool got no positive response from the majority of members.Meanwhile, the house expressed pleasure on Federal Government recent decision of releasing Rs 500 million for forthcoming South Asian Games preparation. It was decided in the meeting that half of the amount would be spent on improving playing facilities while Rs 250 million would be donated to players training and preparations for the Games. All these decisions would be taken in coordination with Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and related federations.

“The Executive Committee has directed PSB to convene a joint meeting of the Ministry of IPC (Sports Wing), PSB, POA and concerned National Sports Federations to work out the modalities for holding the upcoming South Asian Games in Pakistan.

The Committee decided that funds amounting to Rs.500.00 million should be distributed equally for repair/maintenance of facilities and amongst the concerned sports federations to prepare the teams for the South Asian Games. The Committee also directed to ensure transparency, open competition and fulfillment of all required formalities as per PPRA Rules for undertaking refurbishment process of Pakistan Sports Complex.”

A monitoring cell will also be constituted within the Ministry of IPC to update on the preparations for the SA Games. The Cell will include officials from all the concerned ministries. The Executive Committee considered and approved creation of post Project Director for National Sports City (NSC), Narowal and Chief Engineer (Civil) for smooth functioning of the Maintenance Wing and ongoing development projects. Currently there is no qualified Civil Engineer in PSB.

The Executive Committee also endorsed distribution of funds amongst hockey and tennis players recently approved by Prime Minister. The meeting was also attended by President, Pakistan Table Tennis Federation and secretaries of hockey, kabaddi, weightlifting federations.