The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has raised serious concerns over the Pakistan Netball Federation’s (PNF) assertion that the national youth girls’ team clinched “first position” at the 2025 Asian Youth Netball Championship, held in South Korea. The PSB has issued a formal notice, demanding a written explanation within three days.
According to the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan, the PSB believes that the language used by the federation in official communication, along with televised statements by PNF Chairman Mudassar Razzaq Arain, gave the impression that Pakistan won the overall gold medal. The board pointed out that Pakistan had actually topped the Plate Division, not the Gold Cup Division, which included stronger teams such as Malaysia, Singapore, India, and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan’s team remained undefeated in the Plate Division, defeating opponents like Chinese Taipei, Japan, South Korea, Maldives, and Saudi Arabia. The team’s most notable win came against the Maldives with a 60-35 victory in the Plate Division final.
The PSB highlighted that Arain’s televised remarks, including thanking government officials and referring to the performance as a gold medal win, created a misleading public narrative. This, the board claims, was then used to apply for monetary rewards under the government’s 2024 Cash Award Policy, prompting official recognition and praise from high-ranking officials, including the prime minister.
The PSB also cited a viral video clip of Arain’s interview and noted that no financial or logistical support had been provided by the sports board for the team’s participation in the event.
In response, Arain stated in a video message that there was a misunderstanding. He clarified that Pakistan competed in Pool B and secured victories against all participating teams in the Plate Division. He reiterated that the PNF did not claim a Gold Cup title and emphasized that the team’s success was limited to its division.
The PSB’s letter has been shared with federal ministers, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, and the Pakistan Olympic Association.
Despite the confusion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had earlier congratulated the team, applauding their unbeaten run in the tournament held from June 27 to July 4 at Jeonju Hwasan Gymnasium, South Korea.
