Formation of interim body illegal: Hasan

POA president addresses press conference regarding PSB’s actions.

LAHORE: The meeting of the General Council of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) was held in Lahore yesterday where the interim body set up by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) was declared illegal.

Following the meeting, the POA president Syed Arif Hasan addressed a press conference and stated that the announcement of the interim body by ‘the defeated elements’ was an unlawful action that would have to bear repercussions.

“While the POA wants reconciliation with the disgruntled, defeated minority, for which a Reconciliation Committee has been formed with the approval of the General Council, yet the House was unanimous in its resolve that nobody shall be allowed to trespass or violate the POA’s or National Federations’ constitutions or muscle its way through by browbeating the majority,” said Hasan. “The POA shall present its case to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on February 15 in Lausanne and prove beyond a shadow of doubt the mala fide intent of those who were defeated.”

He further said that the house reposed full confidence in him and had authorized him to represent the case of POA in the IOC’s meeting on 15 February, 2013 at Lausanne.

“The interpretation of higher judiciary verdicts being done by these people was self-serving and wrong,” he said. “The General Council meeting, the third in a year including the one dedicated to elections on February 4, 2012, was yet another overwhelming vote of confidence in the current POA administration.”

Referring to the background of the association’s altercation with the PSB, the POA president said, “The IOC basically has three objections to the PSB’s powers under the National Sports Policy 2005, because these are not in line with the Olympic Charter and also contravene IOC clauses. One, the prerogative to amend, annul or repeal the constitution of any National Federation. Two, to change the office-bearers of any National Federation at will. Three, the four-year tenure being mandatory in the National Sports Policy: where the IOC holds that the primacy in this regard too shall lie with National Federations’ constitutions.”

Archery granted affiliation

According to Hasan, the National Federation of Archery has been granted affiliation after the approval of the General Council. He added that snooker would be considered by the POA’s Affiliation Committee as soon as it fulfills the criteria.

Meanwhile, Rida Mitha, who was declared the Best Athlete following the 32nd National Games 2012, was rewarded Rs 50,000. The cheque was presented to her by Hasan with the entire house applauding. Rida Mitha had won eight gold medals in National Games 2012.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2013.