‘POA elections to be held on July 5’

IPC, interim committee finalise date despite threat of suspension.

KARACHI: Despite being warned by the International Olympic Committee to avoid government interference, the Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) and the interim committee have decided to hold elections of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) on July 5.

The decision was taken in a meeting held between interim committee officials and representatives of the IPC who finalised the date that is a day after the conclusion of the 32nd National Games to be held in Islamabad from June 28 to July 4.

“The elections of the POA will be held on July 5 when a new body will be formed,” an official of the interim committee told The Express Tribune. “We’ve decided to go ahead in order to bring a positive change and I’m sure whoever is elected will give the best to promote and uplift sports in Pakistan.”

The interim committee, backed by the government, had recently imposed life-time bans on POA President Arif Hasan and its Secretary Khalid Mahmood, raising renewed concerns about a possible ban on the country by the IOC.

Reacting to the bans, the IOC issued another warning, saying it would not tolerate any government interference in the affairs of the Olympic association.

However, despite the threat of a possible suspension looming, the interim committee official said the National Sports Policy needed to be followed, which dictates the removal of officials from sports federations who have already served two four-year terms.

The official also said the new body formed after elections will also deal with the issue of several parallel bodies and federations that has plagued several sports.

“We’re keen on ending these parallel federations and only genuine people will be given the right to work,” added the official.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 4^th, 2013.