Islamabad: Pakistan’s decorated F-Class long-range shooter and sports psychologist Mohsin Nawaz has called for a comprehensive change in the country’s sporting approach, saying mental preparation must be treated as a central requirement for success at the international level.
A recipient of Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and Lifetime Achievement Award, Mohsin has pledged to use his experience for strengthening the psychological readiness of Pakistani athletes. He has also served as Pakistan’s first official Sports Psychologist at the 6th World Nomad Games 2026.
According to Mohsin, Pakistan’s athletes possess strong natural ability, but require organised mental training to convert that potential into podium-winning performances. He believes sports development in the country should give equal importance to psychological resilience, emotional control and performance optimisation along with physical training.
His proposed approach focuses on pressure handling, reduction of stress and anxiety, goal setting, visualisation and practice under simulated pressure. He said athletes should be exposed to competition-like situations during training so they can build focus, composure and confidence when competing in unfamiliar environments.
“Rather than attempting to eliminate competitive pressure, our goal must be to equip athletes with practical tools to manage it and remain focused on execution,” Mohsin noted, referring to his experience in F-Class long-range shooting, a discipline where concentration and emotional control are crucial.
Mohsin’s position in elite sport is also reflected in his international roles as an official Brand Ambassador for Kahles Optics and Peregrine Bullets, along with his key association with HawkSmith Gun & Sporting Club.
In line with his broader vision, he highlighted a nationally significant initiative being developed with HawkSmith to introduce premium shooting and sports facilities in Pakistan. The project is aimed at encouraging a planned and professional sports lifestyle among the youth by providing modern infrastructure and development pathways for upcoming athletes.
Mohsin urged sports federations and coaches to include psychological assessments, athlete profiling and team cohesion programmes well before international competitions. He stressed that mental readiness should not be treated as a last-minute measure, but as a continuous part of athlete development.
Through systematic mental conditioning, Mohsin said he aims to help Pakistani athletes enter international arenas with composure, resilience and a result-oriented mindset.
