PSB launches NTIVS to promote merit-based sports development

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th May, 2026) Pakistan Sports board (PSB) has launched the National Talent Identification and Verification System (NTIVS), a digital, merit-based initiative aimed at providing a transparent and structured pathway for young athletes across the country to be identified and assessed for national-level opportunities.

The initiative addresses a long-standing gap in Pakistan’s sports ecosystem, where aspiring athletes often relied on informal channels, personal connections, or limited exposure to gain recognition, said a press release on Tuesday.

Through NTIVS, PSB seeks to institutionalise a fair and documented mechanism that allows talented individuals to present themselves for evaluation on merit.

The system is open to Pakistani nationals aged 12 to 25 across all PSB-affiliated sports, excluding cricket. Applications can be submitted online through the PSB website in both urdu and English, without any fee, and are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Under the programme, applications will undergo an initial screening by an independent panel of experts, after which shortlisted candidates will be referred to the relevant National Sports Federations (NSFs) for further technical evaluation and trials.

Final selection decisions will remain with the respective federations, while PSB will act as a facilitator to ensure transparency and process integrity.

Physical evaluation camps will be conducted at designated centres across major cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Muzaffarabad, Gilgit, and Skardu, ensuring access for athletes from remote and underserved areas.

A key feature of NTIVS is its emphasis on documentation and accountability, including mandatory performance footage, verifiable achievements, and written feedback at each stage of the process. The initiative also aims to build a national talent database to support long-term planning and resource allocation in sports development.

Director General PSB Yasir Pirzada termed the initiative “a step towards transforming talent discovery into a transparent, inclusive, and merit-driven national system,” adding that it is designed to ensure that “no talented athlete is left unseen due to lack of access or opportunity.”