Olympics: Pakistan’s ban on participation averted

IOC tells local bodies to find amicable solution.

KARACHI: After a ‘productive’ meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Pakistan has been successful in averting a potential ban on the country’s participation in the event.

According to Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Secretary Khalid Mehmood, the governing body had summoned Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) officials following a court order to uphold the National Sports Policy 2005 that bars an official from being elected for more than two terms. The POA, currently headed by Arif Hasan, was elected for a third time this year in February.

While the government-controlled PSB expressed its desire to dismiss Hasan after the court ruling, the POA maintained that it was only bound to follow the IOC guidelines. The IOC charter discourages government interference in the country’s Olympic body and a ban can ensue if the rule is not followed.

However, Mehmood, who received an email from Hasan with information pertaining to the meeting, said Pakistan was out of the danger zone as far as the ban was concerned.

“The IOC asked us to resolve the matter in a cordial manner,” Mehmood told The Express Tribune. “It insisted that the matter be solved before the London Games. Now the POA and the PSB will have to sit together to find a solution. We are hoping that the matter is resolved in due time.”  Meanwhile, a PSB official said the board was yet to receive details of the meeting but also hoped for a quick solution on the issue. Pakistan is confirmed to take part in hockey, shooting and track events and is also waiting for wild-cards in swimming and boxing.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7^th, 2012.