A Move That Weakens Sports Development Instead of Advancing It
Ghani Ur Rehman
PESHAWAR: The provincial government’s decision to lock and shut down the PSB Coaching Centre Peshawar cannot be considered a positive step in any way for the promotion of sports. The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) plays an essential role in providing sports infrastructure and basic facilities to athletes across the country, and the Peshawar PSB Coaching Centre has long been a foundational part of that mission.
For decades, this federal institution has been the only platform in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa offering quality training, limited-resource talent grooming, and structured coaching to young athletes. Abruptly shutting it down will not only create hurdles for players but also weaken the province’s overall sports development framework.
The federal government operates active and effective PSB coaching centres in Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab, all aimed at ensuring equal opportunities and facilities for athletes nationwide. These centres help nurture young talent capable of representing Pakistan with pride on international platforms. Removing such an institution from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa denies athletes the same opportunities enjoyed by other provinces.
The provincial government’s stance—that this centre is no longer needed or should be taken over by the province—does not hold weight. Although sports complexes and grounds exist across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the expertise, structure, and professional training system of this federal institution cannot be replicated overnight. The PSB Coaching Centre is not merely a building; it is a complete training ecosystem supported by qualified coaches, standard facilities, and a system specifically designed to empower athletes.
According to PSB officials, the centre was established decades ago to strengthen sports development in the province and has remained active and relevant ever since. Officials maintain that the provincial government is neither legally authorised to close the centre nor entitled to take possession of it, as it falls entirely under the jurisdiction of the federal government.
Sports circles warn that closing the PSB Coaching Centre is more than just an administrative action; it risks straining federal-provincial relations and raises constitutional, administrative, and strategic concerns. Shutting down a federal sports institution at the provincial level sets a problematic precedent.
Athletes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa already struggle with limited resources. Closing this centre further weakens a system that is striving to survive against odds. The provincial government must approach this issue with understanding and cooperation, rather than turning the future of athletes and sports into an unnecessary point of conflict.
Leave a Reply