IOC summons POA, PSB representatives

International Olympic Committee has summoned a meeting of representatives of Pakistan Olympic Association and Pakistan Sports Board on February 15 in Switzerland to discuss the ongoing tussle between the two institutions and the present scenario of sports in Pakistan.
Addressing a press conference here POA President POA Lt Gen retd Syed Arif Hasan after a meeting o the advisory committee of the national Olympic committee here on Wednesday said: “It is a very important meeting summoned by IOC to see and review what is happening in the affairs of sports in Pakistan and POA and we are confident that a solution will come up in it,” he said.
He said the advisory committee attended by 44 representatives of different national sports federation; services and departments expressed full confidence on the working of the POA and discussed a number of important issues relating to sports.
POA Chief said IOC and Olympic Council of Asia are monitoring the situation of sports affairs in Pakistan and they have expressed their full support to POA after PSB formed an ad-hoc committee for holding the national games.
“We strongly believe that the IOC meeting will thoroughly discuss the present crisis which has engulfed Pakistani sports scene after some illegal decisions of PSB at a meeting held recently,” he said.
He further stated: “Our prime aim is to safeguard the interest of sports in Pakistan and we don’t want any confrontation with any institution and we want to find an amicable solution of the issues based on principles.”
Gen Arif said the present tussle between POA and PSB is harmful for the cause of sports in Pakistan and there is dire need to resolve the matter with a mutual understanding from both sides with positive approach keeping in view the future of sports in Pakistan.
He said the advisory committee discussed the staging of the 32nd National Games in Lahore and holding of the coming edition of the games.
He said general council of POA will meet on February 12 to discuss important issues including the ongoing circumstances and allocating the 33rd edition of the national games.
To a question, he said, POA enjoyed the support of majority of the national sports federations, services and departments whereas those national sports federations whose cases are in the court of law or those which are illegal are with PSB to disrupt the smooth working of the POA.
Answering a question, he said the IOC meeting is very important and it would help the IOC to draw its line of action keeping in view what is happening in the affairs of sports in Pakistan.