Swiss trip: Ministry dips into Sports Board funds

Visit planned to resolve conflict with international olympic body.

ISLAMABAD:

A two-member delegation of the Ministry of Interprovincial Coordination (IPC) directed the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Islamabad to re-appropriate an amount of Rs0.6 million from a fund for ‘Training and Coaching of Sportsmen’ in order to meet the expenses for a trip to Lausanne, Switzerland.

The delegation planned a visit to Lausanne in order to resolve a conflict between the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and cost a reported Rs1.2 million, according to documents available with the Express Investigation Cell.

According to a letter vide F.No 1-10/2012-DDS(S-I) the IPC section officer made the request on June 6. The IPC secretary, as principal accounting officer, approved the transfer of the amount from a fund for training and coaching to one for ‘participation in international seminars, conferences or meetings’. The two-member delegation making the trip to Lausanne included the secretary and additional secretary (sports wing) of the IPC and the visit was scheduled for the coming week. IPC Secretary Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry confirmed that a delegation was scheduled to visit Lausanne on June 19, saying the visit is mandatory and approved by the prime minister. Even so, he added, funds are not allocated for the visit and hence the ministry approached the PSB.



The letter was forwarded to the PSB director general on June 10. According to sources, three delegations have made a similar trip to the IOC for the same purpose over the last two years. In 2012, a new body of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) was elected, but the IOC continues to recognise the representation of the former body. Sources say the issue has remained unresolved and a divisive element within national sports associations and offices. “This time, we will try our best to resolve the issue as per law and policy,” Chaudhry said, referring to previous delegations. If the issue is not resolved, he intends to present a report to the cabinet.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 13^th, 2014.