Sahi nominated for POA presidency

Interim committee, PSB to sanction those attending Arif Hasan’s meeting.

KARACHI:

The interim committee of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and sports federations has unanimously nominated Athletics Federation of Pakistan President Akram Sahi as the sole candidate to run for the POA’s presidency.

The general council meeting of the interim committee was called upon in Islamabad to discuss three important agendas. These included the upcoming 32nd National Games, candidacy for the POA presidency spot and to discuss the future of those individuals who represented their respective sports federations and attended the meeting called on by banned POA president Arif Hasan.

After considerable deliberation, it was decided that Sahi would be the new face of the POA when its elections are held on July 5. He will also be given power to choose his panel that would feature a secretary, vice-president and other officials for other posts.

However, despite being given the authority to select his own team, Sahi said he would welcome input and feedback from others, stating that the new body would be formed democratically through fair elections.



“I’m thankful to the house for placing faith in me,” Sahi told The Express Tribune. “But I welcome other officials to come up with ideas as it would bring in a healthy, competitive environment.”

Sahi added that resolving the POA dispute with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) would be his top priority, saying that he will visit the governing body’s headquarters to apprise its officials of the situation in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, it has been learnt that individuals who attended the meeting that was called by banned POA officials Arif and Khalid Mahmood are likely to face a five-year suspension, while their sports bodies might be de-affiliated by the interim committee and the Pakistan Sports Board.

The house also approved the list of events for the 32nd National Games, which will include 27 disciplines in the men’s category while 11 disciplines will be contested by the women athletes.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2013.