PSB, EFP break ground for Riding Club at Pakistan Sports Complex

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th May, 2026) Outgoing Director General of the Pakistan Sports board (PSB) Muhammad Yasir Pirzada on Wednesday performed the groundbreaking of the Riding Club at the Pakistan Sports Complex, terming it a watershed moment in the promotion of equestrian sports and Olympic disciplines in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the initiative would provide young riders with modern training facilities and create new opportunities for talent development in equestrian sports.

"The Pakistan Sports Board remains committed to facilitating national sports federations in developing infrastructure and nurturing athletes capable of representing Pakistan at the international level," he said.

Pirzada also appreciated the efforts of the federation for promoting horse-riding culture and expanding participation in Olympic equestrian disciplines across the country.

Meanwhile, newly-elected President of the Equestrian Federation of Pakistan Raja Zarrar Sajjad described the establishment of the riding club as a landmark development for the promotion of horse-riding sports and the grooming of young talent in Pakistan.

Talking to APP after the groundbreaking ceremony, Raja Zarrar thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Muhammad Yasir Pirzada for supporting the initiative and providing land for the facility to the country's equestrian community.

He said Islamabad was selected for the project because of its favourable climate and growing interest in equestrian sports.

"The federation has highly talented riders, trainers and international-standard coaches. Soon, we will have a range of activities at this club, making it an ideal hub for equestrian sports," he said.

Raja Zarrar said Pakistan had already been performing well in non-Olympic disciplines such as tent pegging and horseback archery, but the federation now aimed to focus on Olympic disciplines including dressage, show jumping and eventing.

He said metropolitan cities, particularly Islamabad, offered a larger pool of riders interested in Olympic equestrian sports, while the city's weather conditions allowed year-round riding and training activities.

The EFP president said the presence of international coaches at the Islamabad Riding Club would help the federation organize regular coaching clinics, seasonal camps and training sessions to improve the standard of the sport in the country.

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Highlighting Pakistan's strength in tent pegging, Raja Zarrar said the country possessed one of the largest pools of riders in the discipline.

"Pakistan has around 98 horses associated with cultural tent pegging and more than 50 horses currently participating in international activities," he added.

He said the newly-established riding club would provide opportunities to young people who could not afford horses or riding facilities.

"The youth will benefit the most from this project because skill development at an early age is extremely important. Islamabad has many schools, colleges and universities, which makes it the best place for talent hunting," he said.

Raja Zarrar informed that the club would operate under a membership system for different disciplines and announced that the federation's biggest annual event, the National Championship, would be held at the new venue shortly after Eid-ul-Azha and before Muharram.

He said Pakistan already had several certified trainers in various equestrian disciplines, while additional coaches were being prepared in show jumping and other Olympic events. A coaching session aimed at developing new trainers would also be organized next month, he added.

Discussing financial sustainability, the EFP president said more than 70 percent of equestrian expenses, including horse feed and transportation, were already being borne by the riders themselves.

He stressed that transparency, self-sustainability and horse welfare would remain key priorities of his administration.

"To make this model successful, we must make it self-sustaining. Transparency in finance and information will build credibility and attract more sponsors and stakeholders," he said.

Raja Zarrar also underlined the importance of horse welfare and said awareness programmes would be launched to educate riders about modern standards of animal care and discourage horse abuse practices still prevalent in some traditional training systems.

He expressed hope that the government as well as private sponsors would continue supporting equestrian sports in Pakistan.