PSB Elevates Cash Incentives for Medal-Winning Athletes

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has significantly boosted financial rewards for athletes who secure medals, enacting a revised policy during its 34th board assembly. This update elevates incentives across various categories and introduces new awards tailored to specific events.

The revised structure notably increases the reward for an Olympic gold medal threefold, escalating from Rs10 million to Rs30 million. Silver medalists will now be granted Rs20.5 million, a rise from Rs7.5 million, and bronze medalists will receive Rs10 million, improved from the previous Rs five million.

Gold medalists at the Asian Games can anticipate Rs10.5 million, a step up from Rs7.5 million, while silver and bronze medalists will be awarded Rs seven million and Rs five million, respectively, both enhancements from the previous Rs five million and Rs three million.

Awards for the Commonwealth Games have also seen an upward revision. The prize for gold medalists has grown from Rs five million to Rs7.5 million, while silver and bronze medalists are set to receive Rs five million and Rs three million, respectively, up from Rs three million and Rs two million.

Notably, the PSB has, for the first time, established prize tiers for World and Asian Championships depending on how often they occur, allocating varying sums for events that take place every four years, every two years, and annually.

For example, victors at four-year World Championship events will be awarded Rs7.5 million, while champions of biennial events will be granted Rs five million, and annual winners will earn Rs three million.

Analogous tiered systems are in place for Asian Championships, Commonwealth Championships, and events at the junior level.

The updated policy also includes specific allocations for cue sports, offering Rs1.5 million for an IBSF World Snooker Championship title and Rs0.75 million for a gold at the Asian Snooker Championship.

Squash champions will be given Rs10 million for clinching distinguished titles like the British Open, or a comparable event, while junior squash champions will be entitled to Rs five million.

Other regulations, including awards for athletes participating in Paralympic, Deaflympic, and Blind Games, along with team events and coaches, will maintain their structural integrity but will gain from the amplified base amounts applied to major contests.