IOC warns Pakistan again over POA tussle

International body closely monitoring ‘parallel body’ situation.

KARACHI: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) once again made its concerns known against the activities going on in relation to the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and has said that it is closely monitoring all developments.

The POA led by General (retd) Arif Hasan is recognised by the IOC whereas the Pakistan government has created a parallel POA body headed by General (retd) Akram Sahi.

There were recent reports that the officials of Hasan’s organisation were manhandled by armed people.

The IOC executive board stated, “The IOC has been following the attempts by a ‘parallel body’ to take over the POA. The latest developments – the police and a group of individuals taking over the office of the legitimate NOC – are very worrying. The IOC will carefully review the facts before taking necessary actions, which include the possibility of a suspension to protect the Olympic Movement in Pakistan.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.

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