POA General Council threatens federations’ disaffiliation from PSB

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) General Council in a unanimous resolution called on the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to review its anti-Olympic Charter measures.

It said if the PSB failed to review its policy, federations would be compelled to disaffiliate with the Board to protect the Charter and commitment with international federations.

The PSB convened its GB meeting on December 4 to finalise its controversial plans, which include establishing an election commission, adjudication on internal matters, and complaints within NSFs by the PSB. To restore the PSB’s powers to form ad hoc bodies to run NSFs, and the introduction of other regulations conflict with the Olympic Charter and the statutes of respective International Federations (IFS).

The POA General Council believes that such steps would significantly affect the autonomy of National Sports Federations (NSFs) affiliated with the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA). “As independent and autonomous entities governed by the Olympic Charter and our respective IFs, we must uphold the principles of responsible autonomy, political neutrality, and good governance.

These principles ensure that our operations, including elections, governance structures, and dispute resolution mechanisms, remain free from external interference, necessary to retain our international recognition and compliance with the statutes of IFs, NFs, POA and the Olympic Charter,” the POA General Council joint declaration said.

The POA Council reminded the PSB of the IOC communications in the recent past. “The IOC, in its communication dated 17th September 2021, has clearly reaffirmed that governmental interference in the governance and internal affairs of NSF constitutes a violation of the principles enshrined in the Olympic Charter.

Furthermore, we respectfully remind the PSB that the Government of Pakistan following a meeting with IOC, ANOC, ASOIF, OCA and POA, had assured to the IOC, on 03 July 2014, commitment to the principle of non-interference in the governance of sports entities. The IOC’s note and subsequent letter issued by the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination Division, Government of Pakistan are there to see.”

The POA General Council requested the PSB to review the proposed measures to ensure they align with the Olympic Charter, IF statutes, Constitution of NSFs and IFs as well as hold consultations with NSFs to collaboratively work for the promotion and development of sports in Pakistan.

“In case, our request is not considered by the PSB, we, the NSFs, will be compelled to take protective measures including disaffiliation with the PSB to retain our affiliation with the IFS and IOC necessary to keep our status as the NSFs.