ISLAMABAD: Scores of Pakistan’s leading athletes have been left frustrated, demoralised and uncertain about their sporting future after the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) drastically reduced the country’s proposed contingent for the 2026 Asian Games from 123 members to just 80, barely three months before the continental spectacle gets underway in Japan.
The move has sparked serious concerns within sporting circles, with athletes and federation officials questioning the timing of the decision and its potential impact on Pakistan’s medal prospects at the Asian Games scheduled to be held in Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.
According to documents available with The News, the PSB had formally communicated to national sports federations on January 20, 2026, authorising athletes and officials to begin preparations for the Games. Following the approval, dozens of athletes intensified their training programmes, altered competition schedules, and committed themselves fully to preparations for what is regarded as Asia’s biggest multi-sport event after the Olympics.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the PSB issued another letter on June 17, slashing the contingent size and withdrawing financial support from a number of athletes, coaches, and support personnel who had already been cleared to participate.
The decision has left many athletes feeling abandoned after months of preparation based on assurances provided by the country’s highest sports authority.What has made the situation even more perplexing is that the entire 123-member contingent had already been accredited through the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), which had secured participation slots and official accreditation from the Nagoya organisers on the basis of the government-approved list.
For many emerging athletes, the Asian Games represent a once-in-four-years opportunity to compete against Asia’s elite and gain invaluable international exposure. The event is also considered a crucial stepping stone for athletes targeting success at the South Asian Games, which Pakistan is expected to host early next year.
The latest cuts have particularly affected athletics, one of Pakistan’s most decorated disciplines at the Asian Games. Twelve track and field athletes who had initially been assured financial backing by the PSB have now seen their number reduced to just six.
The PSB axe has also fallen on sports with established medal potential, including boxing, kabaddi, shooting and volleyball. In an even more controversial move, financial support for wrestling, weightlifting and tennis has been withdrawn altogether despite earlier commitments.
Athletes from these disciplines had been assured in January that their participation and preparations would be fully supported. The sudden reversal has disrupted training plans and created uncertainty at a critical stage of their build-up to the Games.
Over the years, these very sports have delivered some of Pakistan’s most memorable performances at the Asian Games. Athletics remains Pakistan’s most successful discipline with a tally of 14 gold, 12 silver and 13 bronze medals. Boxing has contributed six gold, eight silver and 14 bronze medals, while wrestling has won two gold, five silver and 13 bronze medals. Squash, another traditional powerhouse, has secured four gold, five silver and five bronze medals for the country.
The cuts have not been limited to athletes alone. Several support staff positions in sports such as squash and kabaddi have also been removed, raising concerns about the quality of athlete preparation and performance support during the Games.
One budding athlete, speaking to The News on condition of anonymity, expressed deep disappointment over the situation.“My federation cannot support me financially. They are trying their best, but I don’t think they have the resources. I started preparing immediately after being selected on merit and after receiving confirmation that I would compete in the Asian Games. Now everything is uncertain because of the PSB’s afterthought,” he said.
The athlete added that the uncertainty surrounding participation has severely affected his mental focus and disrupted months of carefully planned training.Sports experts believe the decision sends a damaging message to athletes who devote years of hard work and sacrifice in pursuit of national honours. They argue that changing policies and commitments at such a late stage can have a lasting impact on athlete morale and confidence.
Repeated attempts by The News to contact PSB Director General Yawar Hussain for comments remained unsuccessful.However, a senior PSB official, requesting anonymity, attributed the decision to severe financial constraints.
“The Board is facing an acute shortage of funds. A substantial portion of available resources, including money earmarked for athlete welfare and development, has been redirected towards hockey commitments. Hockey is consuming most of the available budget, leaving very little for other sports,” the official claimed.
The controversy has once again reignited debate over Pakistan’s sports funding priorities, with critics questioning whether the country’s limited resources are being distributed fairly among all disciplines. With less than three months remaining before the Asian Games, athletes now find themselves battling not only their rivals on the field but also uncertainty off it, as dreams nurtured over years risk being derailed by administrative decisions taken at the eleventh hour.
