Costly mismanagement: Sports may become victim of sit-ins

Lodging of policemen at sports complex likely to delay upcoming events

ISLAMABAD:

Four international events are likely to be postponed as policemen deployed at the sit-ins are occupying the venue — Pakistan Sports Complex (PSC) — after being forced out of the capital’s schools and colleges. 

A PSC official, requesting anonymity, said four international events scheduled for October are likely to be postponed due to the presence of 39,000 police officers who are lodging at the Liaquat Gymnasium and Jinnah Stadium where the events were to be held.



The International Squash Championship, scheduled on October 18 to 23, South Asian Men’s Netball Championship from Oct 22 to 25, South Asian Women Football Championship in the first week of November and the National Athletics Championship scheduled from October 16 to 18 will most likely be delayed.

The official said over 2,000 players and team officials from various countries, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka are participating in these events. But due to the presence of thousands of Punjab police officials, it seems difficult for PSC to timely hold the events.

“How is it possible to stage the events with the presence of security personnel who roam freely and reside in the whole complex,” remarked the official, adding that “Pakistan is already facing many challenges with international players reluctant to come here.”

Security personnel were called from Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir on August 14 to deal with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek protest march. Earlier, the policemen were accommodated in the educational institutes but following the direction of the Islamabad High Court, the personnel were moved out and shifted to the sports complex.

“It is tragic that the ICT Administration has no space to accommodate police officers,” he said. The official questioned why police officers are not accommodated in the Haji Camp in Tarnol which has enough space.

The official said Minister of Inter Provincial Coordination Riaz Hussain Pirzada is concerned about the presence of police officers in the complex and will personally request the interior minister to get it vacated. According to the official, it will be a setback for the ministry if the events are delayed or cancelled.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2014.