On collision course: How the government could be pushing Pakistan towards IOC sanctions

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) seems to be on a collision course with national sports federations. And unless remedial measures are taken, there is a clear and present danger that Pakistan can face international sanctions.

And once again the bone of contention is the new sports policy that has been finalized by PSB and is set to be approved by the cabinet. And then there is the question of PSB’s own controversial constitution.

Nukta understands that the sports federations along the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), together known as the Olympic family, are not happy with the latest developments in the world of Pakistan sports. They fear that the new policy will be an instrument for the state to control the federations, a move that has failed previously in the past.

It was in 2014 when Pakistan’s government had to withdraw the controversial clauses from its sports policy which were opposed to the Olympic charter and statutes of the international federations (IFs).

The clauses which were withdrawn in 2014 included: (1) “The power given to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to “approve, amend and repeal” the Constitutions of the national sports organizations; and(ii) The power given to the PSB to potentially take sanctions against office-bearers from national sports organizations (including removal of office-bearers).

It seems history is set to repeat itself.

And this time the PSB Constitution, which has several controversial clauses, is expected to be approved by the cabinet if the Olympic family fails to adopt a solid strategy to foil the state’s effort and to protect the Olympic Movement.

Last Friday, quite surprisingly, a discussion was held on the Sports Policy 2024-2029 draft in Islamabad instead of a full-fledged debate on the PSB constitution which has controversial clauses. The representatives of the national federations and departments had been invited for the discussion chaired by the Secretary IPC Nadeem Irshad Kiyani.

No discussion was held on the controversial PSB constitution which has been approved by the PSB Board and is awaiting approval of the cabinet.

What’s the inside story?

During the discussion, the sports minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Syed Aqil Shah, had a blunt argument with the IPC secretary.

Syed Aqil Shah, the sports minister of Khyber PakhtunkhwaPakistan Press International

Insiders told Nukta that Shah told IPC secretary that his ministry has nothing to do with sports.

Shah said that bureaucracy is the biggest hurdle in the way of sports promotion. Shah asked the IPC secretary that why they were shying away from discussing the PSB constitution as this is the most important document and is full of controversies. Shah stressed that the sports policy takes secondary status.

Sources said that the IPC secretary was not happy with Shah’s blunt remarks.

However, Shah remained adamant. Sources said when the secretary mentioned Olympics gold medalist Arshad Nadeem, Shah said that there was no need to mention his name as the state did not play any role in his achievement.

Shah, who is also POA’s vice-president, warned Kiyani of international sanctions if the government goes ahead with the PSB constitution which has several controversial clauses that are opposed to the charter of International Olympic Committee (IOC) and statutes of the International Federations (IFs).

'It's ridiculous'

Another major stakeholder who attended the discussion told Nukta that the sports federations rejected the new constitution which is subject to approval from the federal cabinet.

“The government has also now decided to interfere in the affairs of team selection. It’s ridiculous. The PSB is filled with clerks and how clerks can do this. This is unacceptable,” a federation official commented.

A meeting was held under chairmanship of Rana Sana Ullah Khan, Advisor to PM on IPC/President PSB on October 11 to discuss the matter regarding revival of departmental sportsPakistan Sports Board

A source said that the IPC secretary also told the stakeholders to share their observations about the PSB constitution in writing with the Board.

According to the new constitution, PSB’s Board of Governors will regulate affiliation of federations. Only those teams will be given status of national teams who will have the backing of the PSB.

Those federations, who are not affiliated with the PSB, will not use word Pakistan with their teams.

According to the new constitution, the PSB will also be able to regulate selection and composition of national sports teams and their officials for participation in events both inside and outside Pakistan.

The Board will also be able to appoint an election commissioner to conduct federations’ elections and it will have the powers to issue directives and guidelines to ensure fair and transparent elections.

In case an ad-hoc committee is appointed by the respective international body for running the affairs of the sports federation the international body shall devise a mechanism for holding of the elections of that federation expeditiously in consultation with the PSB director general.

The Board will also handle the adjudication process for dispute resolution by maintaining a panel of adjudicators which will comprise of prominent sportspersons including reputable persons from civil society having legal expertise or background of civil service to be assisted by the legal advisor of the Board.

National federations already have their own arbitration process. And if they are unable to resolve their disputes then they go to POA arbitration as per regulations.