ISLAMABAD: In a strong-worded response to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) letter (reported by The News), the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has questioned the validity of allegations, maintaining that the National Olympic Committee would go to any length, including pursuing the legal course, to dig out the truth.
The letter written to all member organisations the other day says that the PSB did not contact or engage with POA to verify any basis for these allegations before making insinuations.
“The matter will be discussed in the Executive Committee. A decision will then be made on whether to respond to the PSB directly or through alternative channels provided under the law, citing the defamatory tone and tenor of the letter.
“This conduct on the part of the PSB appears to be part of a deliberate effort to harm POA’s reputation and credibility, with the intent of exerting pressure on POA’s management in connection with the upcoming POA elections.”
The PSB claims to have received complaints from stakeholders about irregularities in the POA’s statutory amendments and electoral process.
“To verify this, the POA sent an email to all its stakeholders, including affiliated National Sports Federations, Provincial Olympic Associations, Institutional Members
and Services Organizations], Athletes Commission of POA and Individual Members. Honorable Mr. Syed Shahid Ali, IOC Member in Pakistan was also requested to provide us with the letter cited by the PSB in their letter. None of them have provided any documentary evidence/correspondence to support the claims made by the PSB.”
The POA letter also says that it approached the PSB through an email requesting the official concerned to furnish any documentary evidence upon which the allegations against the POA regarding governance and transparency were founded.
“As of the date of this correspondence, no such documentation has been provided,” it says.
“The failure to produce supporting evidence not only contravenes principles of procedural fairness but also reflects the mindset of PSB officials for POA.
“POA is a private and autonomous organisation governed by the principles of the Olympic Charter and the IOC. Its independence has been validated by August Supreme Court of Pakistan, and in another case the Apex Court has also ruled that the PSB cannot force its Rules and directives upon the organisations which are not affiliated with the PSB like POA.
“IOC also warrants National Olympic Committees to remain free from external interference. The PSB’s attempts to challenge this autonomy are contrary to the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter and the Supreme Court’s rulings. Moreover, this represents a clear departure from the Government of Pakistan’s agreement with the IOC of non-interference in the organisations of sports.”
The letter says that the PSB’s contentions are misleading and an affront to its decision-making processes. “The POA’s internal procedures involve all members, with thorough deliberations at multiple levels. The approved amendments were sent to all members as a part of the minutes of the General Council meeting on 22 December 2023. These minutes were confirmed by the General Council in its meeting held on 6 July 2024. The approved amendments were submitted to the IOC for review and approval on 22 December 2023. Same is the case with elections rules.”
The letter written to all stakeholders further clarifies election process being adopted by POA. “Upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee of the POA, the General Council approved the Electoral College of POA on 6 July 2024 which was circulated to all members on 06 August 2024. This ensures clarity and transparency in the election process.
Representation of the government organizations: As stipulated in the POA Constitution, the POA’s General Council includes seven governmental organiaations that are Sports Boards and Directorates of Air Force, Army, Navy, Higher Education Commission, Police, Railways, and WAPDA, each with full voting rights. This level of government representation is unusual within the Olympic Movement and National Olympic Committees typically operate without representation of governmental institutions. It is the POA and National Sports Federations (NSFs) that have formally integrated these institutions into their governance structures to support sports promotion and athlete development. The induction of individual members into the General Council is an extensive process overseen by the Executive Committee and the General Council. Any insinuations that it is controlled solely by the President are baseless.”
The POA questioned PSB authority: “We categorically state that the PSB does not have the mandate to interfere in the internal functions and management of the POA. The PSB’s threats to cast aspersions on the leadership of the POA, including its President, represent a blatant disregard for the office of the President and autonomy of the Olympic Movement.
