Faiza Riaz left off government-funded Asian Games list

LAHORE: Pakistan’s national champion sprinter Faiza Riaz is reportedly facing a major setback ahead of the Asian Games after being excluded from the list of athletes whose participation expenses will be covered by the government.

The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), however, has decided to bear the expenses of Faiza’s participation in the continental sporting event, according to sources.

The development has raised concerns over the support available to Pakistan’s leading athletes, particularly those who have delivered strong performances at national and international competitions.

Sprinter Excluded From Government-Sponsored List

Sources said the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has prepared a list of athletes whose expenses will be covered for the Asian Games, but Faiza Riaz’s name is reportedly missing from it.

The national champion has also not been included in the Pakistan Sports Board’s training camp for the event. As a result, she has continued her preparations independently in Lahore.

According to sources, Faiza will not travel to Japan alongside athletes sponsored by the Pakistan Sports Board. She will also require a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the relevant authorities to participate in the Asian Games.

The situation has created uncertainty for the sprinter as she prepares to represent Pakistan at one of Asia’s biggest sporting events.

Previous International Appearances

Faiza Riaz has previously represented Pakistan at the Commonwealth Games, travelling through arrangements facilitated by the Pakistan Olympic Association.

She has also established herself as one of the country’s prominent sprinters through her performances in national competitions. Her exclusion from the government-sponsored list has therefore attracted attention within sporting circles.

Sources said the athletes’ federation did not forward Faiza’s name for the Asian Games, which reportedly resulted in her omission from the list of athletes sponsored by the Pakistan Sports Board.

The reasons behind the federation’s decision have not been publicly clarified.

Sporting Bodies Face Questions

The case has once again highlighted concerns about coordination between Pakistan’s sporting institutions and the impact of administrative disagreements on athletes.

Sources claimed that differences between the relevant federation and the Pakistan Olympic Association may be creating difficulties for athletes who have demonstrated strong performances at the national level.

For athletes preparing for major international competitions, access to training facilities, financial assistance and organised preparation can play an important role in their performance.

Faiza’s situation has consequently prompted questions about whether deserving athletes are receiving adequate institutional support before major events.

While the Pakistan Olympic Association has reportedly stepped in to cover her participation expenses, uncertainty remains over her training arrangements and the formal approvals required for her appearance at the Asian Games.

The incident has renewed calls for greater coordination among Pakistan’s sports authorities to ensure that administrative disputes do not undermine the country’s athletes or their chances of competing on the international stage.

The claims regarding Faiza Riaz’s exclusion and the funding arrangements are based on the supplied report and have not been independently verified.