Why AFP let off the hook, questions NA body

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) members were furious at letting the Pakistan Athletics Federation (AFP) off the hook as no disciplinary action was taken on their 'illegal and unapproved' tour to India to figure in the South Asian Junior Athletics meet.

The AFP has recently sent a team to India without seeking NOC from any of the government departments including Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).

The PSB later issued a show-cause notice to the AFP as to why such a sensitive tour was taken without getting NOC from all the relevant departments.

MNA Sheikh Aftab said that why no action was taken against AFP for sending the team to India without permission.

“Besides this gross violation, there was also news that the team was sent without any recognized or qualified coach resulting in a pathetic performance.”

Secretary IPC Nadeem Irshad Kayani told members that every Pakistan athlete who participated in the meet almost finished last.

IPC Standing Committee Chairman Sana Ullah Khan Mastikhel also questioned PSB failure to take action against the federation.

“It is a serious matter and responsibility must be fixed according to the PSB constitution. There should not be any favourite or favourites. We want to know as what action has been taken against the federation.”

‘The News’ has published a couple of stories on the matter. Surprisingly, after receiving the reply from the AFP that according to sources was totally irrelevant and unsatisfactory, no action was taken against the federation.

The PSB in an explanation letter earlier written to the AFP said: “It has come to the knowledge of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) that the Athletics Federation of Pakistan recently sent a contingent to India to participate in an international sports event without obtaining the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Government of Pakistan. This action is in direct violation of article 7(1)(xxxiii) of the PSB Constitution, which mandates that all affiliated federations must obtain an NOC before proceeding abroad for any international event.”

The PSB also questioned the team performance which was the worst ever. It was not for the first time that AFP has messed up matters administratively. Recently, Shajar Abbas was left standard when during an international meet in Iran he was told that his entry was not confirmed by his federation a day before the event. The PSB even then took no action against the federation to the surprise of many.