PSB Adjudicator Rules Athletics Federation’s Ban on Coach Salman Butt as Illegal

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) adjudicator, Senator Pervaiz Rashid, has declared the Athletics Federation of Pakistan’s ban on renowned coach Salman Butt—mentor of Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem—as illegal.

The landmark decision was issued after a detailed hearing chaired by Senator Pervaiz Rashid. Both parties presented their arguments before the adjudication panel.

Coach Salman Butt had earlier challenged the ban imposed by the Athletics Federation. During the proceedings, the federation’s president, Wajahat Hussain, appeared before the PSB adjudicator to defend the decision.

However, the federation failed to offer any satisfactory justification for banning the coach. Their inability to substantiate the grounds for the ban prompted the PSB adjudicator to strike the decision down.

The federal government had already taken notice of the Athletics Federation’s controversial move, which had sparked widespread debate within the sports community—especially given Salman Butt’s central role in training Pakistan’s star athlete Arshad Nadeem.

With the adjudicator’s ruling, the ban stands nullified, clearing the way for coach Salman Butt to resume his professional responsibilities.