TSGPA appoints Mohsin Nawaz as Sports Psychologist for World Nomad Games 2026

The Traditional Sports & Games Pakistan Association (TSGPA) has officially appointed civil award recipient Mohsin Nawaz as its Official Sports Psychologist.

This marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that TSGPA has formally appointed a sports psychologist to support its national sporting contingent. The historic decision represents a significant structural shift in how Pakistan prepares its athletes for international multi-sport competitions, recognizing the vital role of mental preparation and psychological resilience alongside physical performance.

Nawaz, who was honored with the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz by the President of Pakistan, is also an official Brand Ambassador for Austrian-based Kahles Optics, South African-based Peregrine Bullets, and the HawkSmith Gun Club in DHA, Karachi. He brings a wealth of expertise in high-performance conditioning, stress control, and elite cognitive training. TSGPA highlighted that his extensive background in athlete performance management and psychological resilience was the primary catalyst behind his selection.

Following the announcement, TSGPA Chairman and Head of Delegation Mr. Nawab Furqan Khan, alongside President of Horseback Archery and Board Member of TSGPA, Aurangzeb Mubashar, formally welcomed Nawaz into the national contingent’s core leadership setup.

Sports officials emphasized that this marks the first time in Pakistan’s history that a dedicated sports body has embedded a qualified sports psychologist directly into its official administrative and coaching roster. While high-performance mental training and psychological preparation have long been standard protocols across mainstream international federations, the practice is a pioneering milestone for Pakistan’s traditional sports ecosystem.

Under his official mandate, Nawaz will formulate, build, and execute structured sports psychology programs for TSGPA athletes. His core focus will center on performance optimization, maintaining composure under intense pressure, focus retention, and confidence-building frameworks tailored specifically for high-stakes international platforms. Additionally, Nawaz will collaborate directly with athletes, coaches, and technical officials on mental well-being initiatives while helping structure team dynamics ahead of major domestic and international events.

This strategic development comes at a pivotal moment as Pakistan finalizes preparations to send a 100-member national contingent, spanning 23 competitive sports disciplines, to the upcoming 6th World Nomad Games 2026. Often referred to as the “Olympics of traditional sports,” the World Nomad Games bring together thousands of athletes from 106 countries competing in historical, culturally rooted sports. The NBP has stepped forward as the official corporate sponsor for the Horseback Archery team and Pakistan’s participation in the World Nomad Games.

Pakistan’s horseback archery squad will feature four premier athletes, Arham Ahsan, Gohar Mustafa, Arshaq Naeem, and Aamina Shifa, alongside Rehana Altaf, who complete the competitive team lineup representing the nation in this high-precision equestrian discipline.

“Pakistan’s participation in the World Nomad Games is an important opportunity to showcase our indigenous sporting talent, strengthen international relations, and present a positive soft image on the global stage,” stated TSGPA Chairman Nawab Furqan Khan. “Integrating a scientific approach to mental health and performance preparation ensures that our athletes are supported holistically, both physically and mentally, to face the pressure of world-class competition.”

Beyond competitive participation across disciplines like belt wrestling, horseback archery, and traditional strength sports, the Pakistan contingent will feature showcase demonstrations of traditional heritage, including Kabaddi, Kite Flying, Desi Kushti (demonstrated by Sajjad Hussain Awan), and Naiza Bazi (demonstrated by equestrian athlete Aurangzeb Mubashar).

With Deputy Director General Mr. Muhammad Shahid serving as Chef de Mission and Chairman Nawab Furqan Khan leading the delegation, TSGPA’s scientific shift toward comprehensive mental preparation and corporate partnerships sets a strong precedent for traditional sports management across the country.