POA says items on PSB’s agenda may trigger fresh controversies

ISLAMABAD: Controversial agenda items are on the table for the 31st meeting of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) scheduled for today (Wednesday), if approved these could trigger a fresh tussle between the government and sports federations.

The agenda item No 3 says that framework for governance and legitimacy of sports federations. Though the PSB has fallen short of declaring the main points of this agenda item possibly with the fear of backlash, the establishment of an Election Commission to conduct federations’ elections in total violation of the Olympic Charter and the formation of a panel of adjudicators are also on the cards.

Every sports federation affiliated with the international body, has to follow a roadmap finalized by an international body, rather getting dictation from the government. It has been made clear by the international bodies on all the Olympic sports federations not to allow governmental interference in their internal matters.

Though even the IOC stresses the coordination and good working relations between all the stakeholders of the respective country, no direct interference has been allowed. A few days back, the General Council of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) in a joint declaration threatened to disassociate federations from the PSB in case any controversial item is approved by the PSB Board.

In a fresh letter sent to all the PSB Board members by POA President Syed Abid Qadir Gilani called for sane approach to avoid serious implications. “The PSB’s proposal carries significant and serious implications for national sports. The autonomy of NSFs, which originates from Swiss law where IOC and International Sports Federations are seated, gives NSFs the rights and obligations to govern their own affairs, including creating rules for their governance and membership. These powers rest exclusively with the General Assemblies of the NSFs and cannot be exercised by the PSB.

The PSB’s proposal also ignores the vital role of key international governing bodies, such as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), international sports’ federations (IFs), and the IOC. These organizations are essential to ensure the proper functioning and oversight of the NSFs.

The PSB has raised a wide ranging allegations against NSFs including corruption, conflict of interests, doping, mismanagement, discrimination, misuse of authority nepotism age fraud, and even human trafficking.

It is important to understand that there are established mechanisms within the IFs and IOC frameworks to address such concerns. Without investigation through relevant forums, making sweeping accusations risks destabilising the entire national sports ecosystem and could seriously compromise international affiliations and recognition.

“After deliberations with the NSFs, a letter of request jointly signed by the NSFs and a resolution adopted by the NSFs affiliated with the POA have been sent to the PSB,” the POA president’s letter to all members of GB says.

“The Federation has been accused of doping and corruption. Cases related to doping are currently under investigation by WADA, ITA, CAS, and the IWF, whose findings will be final and binding. Regarding the corruption allegations, no concrete evidence has been presented against the weightlifting federation. If it was a corrupt organization why the secretary general of the PWLF was appointed as a member of the Ad-hoc committee by PSB itself?

Therefore, the imposition of Adhoc, which is also a violation of the agreement of the Government of Pakistan with IOC, has damaged the sports of weightlifting in Pakistan,” the letter says.

POA President Syed Abid Qadir Gilani called on utilizing proper forums to investigate all the allegations. On the baseball issue regarding forged documents (item No 7), the letter says: “This matter should only be addressed if the relevant authority, such as the FIA, concludes that the forgery has been committed by the persons, named in the report. The PSB is not a law enforcement or investigative agency and has no authority to issue such orders.” POA proposed measures to take all the necessary actions where truth and legal position could be judged.