LAHORE: An emergent executive committee meeting of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) revolved around the Pakistani Contingent for XXII Commonwealth Games, Birmingham (England), and the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games, Konya (Turkey) in particular the arbitrary cuts, imposed by Pakistan Sports Board (SBP) with no rationale whatsoever and without consulting any of the stakeholders.
The executive committee (EC), held under the chairmanship of Lt-Gen (retd) Syed Arif Hasan, president, Pakistan Olympic Association, expressed serious concerns at the irrational and drastic reductions in the athletes and in some cases the replacement of officials other than those recommended by the Federations, said Muhammad Khalid Mahmood, secretary, POA, here on Monday.
This reduction without any cogent or plausible reason was noted by the Athlete’s Commission representative who termed this a very unfortunate development for those athletes who were working hard for years. The EC noted with great concern that these actions by the PSB and that too at this very belated stage have put in peril their participation leaving no choice but to opt for high cost travelling and other arrangements.
“The EC was unanimous that the rights of all such Athletes will be protected and supported by POA and NSFs ensuring their participation. The EC was of the considered opinion that medals at international levels can only be won if the athletes are provided with enough and regular opportunities at international level for training and competitions,” he said.
The POA official said the Chief Medical Officer registered with Organising Committee since last 6 months and working with concerned departments / individuals for Medical, Doping and Covid issues of Pakistan Contingent had also been excluded. It was noted that while the athletes were dropped the PSB officials/staff were included in disproportionate numbers.
Khalid Mahmood said the EC recalled the recent past when athletes lacked support from the PSB. This aspect was brought to the notice of Mr. Ehsan ur Rehman Mizari, Federal Minister of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) by the POA with the request that since PSB had refused to support the athletes, POA and the Federations would try to finance them on their own. Mr. Ehsan ur Rehman Mizari, acceding to the request, extended valuable support to send athletes at the mega events to represent Pakistan.
