PSB launches merit-based national talent system to transform athlete selection

LAHORE - The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has launched the National Talent Identification and Verification System (NTIVS), a nationwide digital initiative designed to ensure transparent, merit-based identification and development of young athletes. The new system aims to eliminate long-standing challenges in talent discovery, where athletes often depended on informal networks, limited exposure, or personal connections to gain recognition. By introducing a structured and documented pathway, NTIVS seeks to level the playing field and provide equal opportunity to aspiring sportsmen and women across the country.

Open to Pakistani nationals aged 12 to 25, the programme covers all PSB-affiliated sports except cricket. Athletes can apply free of cost through the official PSB website in both Urdu and English, with applications accepted throughout the year on a rolling basis.

Under the framework, submissions will first be reviewed by an independent panel of experts. Shortlisted candidates will then be referred to relevant National Sports Federations (NSFs) for technical assessments and trials. While final selections will remain the prerogative of the federations, the PSB will oversee the process to ensure transparency and integrity at every stage.

To widen access and inclusion, physical evaluation camps will be organised in major cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit, and Skardu, bringing opportunities closer to athletes from remote and underserved regions.

A defining feature of NTIVS is its strong focus on accountability and documentation. Applicants are required to submit performance footage and verifiable records of achievements, while structured feedback will be provided throughout the evaluation process. The initiative will also contribute to the creation of a comprehensive national talent database, supporting long-term planning and resource allocation in Pakistan’s sports sector.

Director General PSB Yasir Pirzada described NTIVS as “a transformative step towards building a transparent, inclusive, and merit-driven sports ecosystem,” emphasising that the system is designed to ensure that “no talented athlete is overlooked due to lack of access or opportunity.”

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