In a landmark move to strengthen the country’s sporting ecosystem, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has unveiled a major overhaul of its cash reward policy for medal-winning athletes. Announced during the 34th board meeting, the updated structure not only enhances the cash rewards for events like the Olympics and Asian Games but also introduces new incentives for championships and underrepresented sports.
This revised policy reflects the government’s growing commitment to promoting high-performance sports and rewarding excellence at all competitive levels. The focus is to elevate athlete morale, provide financial security, and encourage participation in diverse international competitions.
Olympic Medal Rewards Triple in Value
Under the new structure, Olympic medalists will now receive record-breaking cash prizes. The reward for winning a gold medal at the Olympics has been increased from Rs10 million to Rs30 million, representing a 200% increase.
- Silver medalists will now earn Rs20.5 million, up from Rs7.5 million.
- Bronze medalists will take home Rs10 million, doubling the previous Rs5 million prize.
This is the highest amount ever announced by the PSB for Olympic winners and aims to bring Pakistan closer to global standards of athlete compensation.
Higher Prizes for Asian and Commonwealth Games
The Asian Games have also seen significant upgrades:
- Gold: Rs10.5 million (previously Rs7.5 million)
- Silver: Rs7 million (up from Rs5 million)
- Bronze: Rs5 million (previously Rs3 million)
For the Commonwealth Games:
- Gold: Rs7.5 million (up from Rs5 million)
- Silver: Rs5 million (up from Rs3 million)
- Bronze: Rs3 million (previously Rs2 million)
These enhancements reinforce Pakistan’s focus on multi-sport events beyond the Olympics and offer strong encouragement for athletes competing across platforms.
Tiered System Introduced for World and Asian Championships
In a forward-thinking approach, the PSB has now implemented a tiered cash reward system based on the frequency of major events like the World Championships and Asian Championships:
- Four-yearly World Championships winners: Rs7.5 million
- Biennial winners: Rs5 million
- Annual championship winners: Rs3 million
This structured model will also apply to other competitions, including the Commonwealth Championships and junior-level events, allowing equitable rewards based on competition scale and recurrence.
Inclusion of Cue Sports and Squash
For the first time, the PSB’s revised policy includes cue sports and squash, which were previously overlooked despite their global success.
- IBSF World Snooker Champion: Rs1.5 million
- Asian Snooker Champion: Rs0.75 million
In squash:
- British Open champions: Rs10 million
- Junior squash winners: Rs5 million
These additions signal a broader shift to reward excellence across all recognized disciplines, not just Olympic or mainstream sports.
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Continued Support for Paralympics and Team Competitions
Athletes participating in Paralympic, Deaflympic, and Blind Games will also benefit from increased rewards, ensuring inclusivity across all categories. Likewise, team events remain eligible for the upgraded individual amounts per athlete.
The role of coaches and support staff has also been acknowledged. They will receive proportional rewards, further motivating the development of robust support systems around athletes.
Empowering Pakistan’s Athletic Future
Officials from the PSB described the revision as part of a wider policy aimed at uplifting national sports. The rewards are not merely financial—they represent respect, recognition, and a step toward professionalizing athletic careers in Pakistan.
“This policy is a turning point. It recognizes our champions and also encourages upcoming athletes to dream bigger,” stated a PSB spokesperson. “We’ve created a structure that respects event frequency, international prestige, and talent beyond the Olympics.”
By increasing the Pakistan Sports Board cash rewards, the board hopes to energize the youth, increase international participation, and build a competitive sports environment within the country.
