The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) is under scrutiny by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for sending a team to the South Asian Junior Athletics Championship in India without obtaining the necessary No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the relevant authorities. This oversight has sparked controversy, especially in light of the team’s poor performance at the event.
In a formal letter addressed to AFP Secretary Lt Col (r) Shahjehan Mir, the PSB highlighted the breach of article 7(1)(xxxiii) of the PSB Constitution, which mandates that all affiliated federations secure a NOC before participating in international events.
The letter shared with a local news outlet references a previous incident involving another federation, where a Pakistani athlete traveled abroad without a NOC and subsequently disappeared in the foreign country. This case, investigated by the PSB, held the federation’s office-bearers accountable for mismanagement, illustrating the potential consequences of neglecting protocol.
The PSB also noted that the AFP’s request for an NOC was received on August 12, with a follow-up email on September 2. According to PSB guidelines, NOC requests should be submitted six to eight weeks before the event, aligning with the international sports calendar. The delay in the AFP’s request raises questions about their adherence to these guidelines.
The PSB emphasized that traveling to India for sports events requires even stricter compliance, necessitating clearances from secret agencies and various ministries. The AFP’s failure to secure the required documentation for the Indian tour is particularly concerning, given these heightened requirements.
The PSB has requested a prompt explanation from the AFP regarding the circumstances that led to the athletes traveling without an NOC. The board expects a detailed response to address this oversight and prevent future occurrences.