Pakistan’s top men’s and women’s table tennis players have been left shocked after the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) asked them to arrange their own funds if they want to compete at the Asian Games in Japan later this year.
The issue surfaced during an ongoing two-day set of national trials in Lahore, when some players approached PTTF officials to ask about daily and travel allowances. According to a player, they were informed that no payments would be made for appearing in the trials, and that athletes selected for the Asian Games would need to cover major costs themselves.
As described by the player, the message from officials was clear: selected players would have to arrange their own air tickets and carry foreign currency at a rate of USD 50 per day to cover expenses during the Games. The player, who declined to be named, said the development has raised serious questions about support structures for elite athletes in the country.
What players say they were told at the Lahore trials
The concerns were raised after players sought clarity on allowances while the national trials were underway in Lahore. The player quoted in the report said they were told two things: first, that they would not be paid anything for taking part in the trials; and second, that those who make the Asian Games squad would have to fund travel and daily expenses on their own.
“We have been told that we will not be paid anything for appearing in the trials. Secondly, the players selected for the Asian Games will have to arrange their own air tickets and foreign currency at the rate of USD 50 per day to cover expenses during the Games,” the player said.
The player added that when athletes protested, a senior PTTF official responded by saying they should be grateful the trials had been organised at all, because the federation had not received any funds or grants from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
That explanation, according to the player, was repeated in relation to the Asian Games as well. The athletes were told the PTTF was not receiving any grant or funding from the PSB for the event, a claim the player described as “strange” and troubling for a major multi-sport competition.
“We were told that even for the Asian Games, the PTTF is not receiving any grant or funds from the PSB, which is strange. Is this how sports is promoted in Pakistan?” the player said, while declining to be named.
The situation matters because national trials are typically a key step in selecting teams for international events, and the costs associated with travel and participation can be significant. When athletes are asked to self-fund, it can affect who is able to compete, potentially narrowing opportunities to those who can afford the expenses.
Self-funding and the impact on selection
While the report does not detail how many players are affected, it describes the issue as involving Pakistan’s top men’s and women’s table tennis players. The requirement to pay for air tickets and daily expenses could become a decisive factor for athletes hoping to represent Pakistan at the Asian Games.
The player’s account also highlights frustration that even participation in the Lahore trials is not being supported through daily or travel allowances, which players had expected to receive.
Why the funding dispute is significant for Pakistan table tennis
The Asian Games are among the biggest events on the calendar for many sports, and participation is often viewed as vital for experience and exposure. In table tennis, Pakistan face a challenging competitive landscape, with the sport dominated by leading nations such as Malaysia, China, South Korea and India.
Pakistan have never won a table tennis medal at the Asian Games or Asian Championships, according to the report. That history makes consistent support and structured preparation especially important for any attempt to close the gap on the continent’s strongest teams.
The player’s comments underline a broader concern about how sport is funded and promoted, particularly when athletes are being asked to cover costs themselves for a major international competition. The report attributes the federation’s stance to a lack of funds or grants from the Pakistan Sports Board, as conveyed by a senior PTTF official.
With the Asian Games in Japan later this year, the funding question now hangs over Pakistan’s table tennis preparations and could influence the final makeup of the squad if selected athletes are unable to meet the expenses required to travel and compete.