PSB ExCo approves grants for federations

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Executive Committee that met in Islamabad Wednesday gave its go-ahead to the release of annual grants to federations and also decided further deliberations on the proposed National Sports Policy.

The meeting that was chaired by the Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fehmida Mirza approved federations grants. “We have invited representatives of some leading sports federations Thursday evening to collect their annual grants cheques,” one of the PSB top officials when contacted said.

‘The News’ has learnt that leading officials from hockey, tennis, squash, athletics, judo, karate, taekwondo, shooting and a few other federations have been invited to collect their bills, most probably from the IPC Minister.

The PSB Council meeting that was also attended by Secretary IPC Mohsin Mushtaq Chandna and Director General PSB Col Asif Zaman decided to hold further deliberations on the proposed Sports Policy.

“We want more input from the stakeholders before finalising the policy and sending it for Prime Minister’s approval. We have already discussed the policy with federations, but want more input from the stakeholders,” he said.

There was also a point on the agenda regarding Deputy Director-General PSB Mansoor Ahmad’s repatriation. As Mansoor has sought stay against any adverse action from the Islamabad High Court, the matter was deferred pending the court decision.

One of the members suggested that a proper system should be followed in making any move on Mansoor’s future affiliation with the PSB.

The matter of increase in the PSB employees’ salaries and their medical allowances also came under discussion. “We will follow the case in Finance Division and try to get a reprieve for the employees. Our effort is to make all possible efforts to get employees their dues,” the PSB official said.