Mr. Muhammad Shahid (Shahid Islam)Chairman – Research & Publication Commission, ICTSGChairman – ICTSG Disciplinary CommitteeDeputy Director General, Pakistan Sports Board. Mr. Muhammad Shahid, known also as Shahid Islam, is a seasoned sports administrator, journalist, author, and public policy professional, currently serving as Chairman of the Research & Publication Commission and Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG). With over three decades of experience in both the government and media sectors, Mr. Shahid brings a profound commitment to the safeguarding and scholarly advancement of Traditional Sports and Games (TSG) worldwide. A proud son of Punjab, Mr. Shahid currently holds the prestigious position of Deputy Director General at the Pakistan Sports Board, operating under the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), Government of Pakistan. He has also served on the UNESCO Working Group on TSG, demonstrating his global vision and diplomatic engagement in preserving intangible cultural heritage. In the quiet village of Chak No. 42-RB in Punjab’s Sangla Hill tehsil, a young boy named Muhammad Shahid grew up surrounded by values of discipline, learning, and service. Over the years, this boy—who would later come to be known as Shahid Islam—would rise to become a respected figure in Pakistan’s public administration and an internationally recognized advocate for Traditional Sports and Games. With deep roots in both literature and sports sciences, Shahid Islam’s academic journey included master’s degrees in English Literature and Health & Physical Education. This rare blend of the intellectual and the physical formed the foundation of a life dedicated to cultural preservation, national service, and the written word. His early professional years were shaped in the rigorous world of journalism. For fifteen years, he immersed himself in reporting, editorial writing, translation, and column-writing in both English and Urdu. As a feature writer and magazine editor, he became known for his thoughtful insights and sharp analysis, cultivating a voice that was as persuasive in policy circles as it was among readers of the national press. This grounding in communication would serve him well in the years to come. In 2004, Shahid transitioned into public service, where his talents quickly became evident. As Media Coordinator and later Director of Public Relations for Pakistan Railways and the Pakistan Sports Board, he shaped the public image of national institutions. His journey through the corridors of power included roles in the Ministry of Sports, the Ministry of Industries and Production, and eventually led him to his current post as Deputy Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board, a position he has held with distinction since 2013. Throughout this journey, Shahid Islam remained a man of action and principle. From drafting the Explosive Rules 2010 to designing safety protocols for hazardous industries, from auditing public sector institutions to organizing sports training camps and international seminars, his work has consistently reflected a commitment to excellence, integrity, and national development. Yet beyond administration, it is his heart for Traditional Sports that truly sets him apart. As a member of UNESCO’s Working Group on Traditional Sports and Games, he has been a dedicated scholar and guardian of heritage. His passion for traditional knowledge and indigenous games finds expression not only in policy and programmatic leadership but also in his writings and quiet research. In 2025, his appointment as Chairman of the Research & Publication Commission of the International Council of Traditional Sports and Games (ICTSG) was a natural evolution—a recognition of both his intellectual contributions and his moral clarity. As Chairman of ICTSG’s Disciplinary Committee as well, he carries the heavy responsibility of ensuring that the values of fairness, respect, and cultural authenticity are upheld in all the Council’s endeavors. His leadership is grounded in wisdom, not authority; in service, not position. Shahid Islam has represented Pakistan in over a dozen countries—Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan, among others—always carrying with him a quiet dignity and an unwavering belief in the power of sport to unite humanity. His authored works, including the revised edition of History of Multan, reflect a man who sees history not as something to be admired from afar, but as a living guide for the present. In his moments of reflection, Shahid finds peace in the meditation of the Holy Qur’an and the companionship of books. His motivation stems from faith and a lifelong desire to serve the people and institutions of his country. He believes in helping others move ahead, knowing that collective progress is the only kind worth striving for. Today, as a senior voice in ICTSG, Muhammad Shahid remains committed to one enduring purpose: to preserve the spirit of Traditional Sports and Games as a living legacy, not just of the past, but for the future generations who deserve to inherit a world of cultural richness, fairness, and unity.