We are behind Punjab, says the POA

Country’s Olympic body gives thumbs-up to the National Games.

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has extended its support to the Punjab Olympic Association (PBOA), confirming that it will stand by the provincial body in its quest to hold the National Games as scheduled.

The news comes after the Sports Board Punjab (SBP) questioned the legality of the PBOA and said that it was not eligible to conduct the event – scheduled to be held in Lahore from October 16 – because its top officials had already served for two four-year tenures. The SBP  stated that it received a letter from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) that, following the Supreme Court orders, no official of a federation or any sports association was allowed to hold office after the successful completion of two consecutive terms.

However, the POA’s backing comes as pleasant news for the PBOA.

“The POA’s stance is very clear and it will continue to support its provincial wings because they are not answerable to the PSB and the Supreme Court ruling does not affect them,” a top POA official told The Express Tribune. “The ruling is for sports federations or association who take a grant from the PSB. Neither the POA nor its provincial associations take any sort of financial help from the PSB so they don’t fall under that category.”

Meanwhile, according to the PBOA, it has received assurance from the Punjab government with regards to the National Games as well as the needed funding.

POA requests solidarity funds

The official revealed that the POA has requested the International Olympic Council for solidarity funds in order to groom local players and officials.

“We’ve asked for solidarity funds for the training and technical grooming of our coaches. We are hopeful of getting them soon and we’ll support our sports federations as well through them.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd, 2012.