National sports federations under the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) have collectively opposed proposed measures by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), asserting that they threaten the independence of sports governance in Pakistan.
In a letter signed by leaders of 23 federations, concerns were raised over regulations that could allow the PSB to exert undue influence over National Sports Federations (NSFs), contravening the principles of the Olympic Charter.
The federations outlined specific issues with the PSB’s proposed measures, including:
| Proposed Measures by PSB | Concerns Raised |
|---|---|
| Establishing a PSB-controlled election commission | Violates the autonomy of NSFs’ electoral processes. |
| Adjudicating internal NSF matters | Undermines independence in resolving disputes. |
| Imposing ad-hoc committees on NSFs | Breaches Olympic Charter guidelines on non-interference. |
The federations cited a 2021 International Olympic Committee (IOC) communication, which reaffirmed the need for sports bodies to remain free from government interference.
The joint letter urged the PSB to review its proposed measures and ensure alignment with the Olympic Charter and International Federation (IF) statutes.
“We respectfully request the PSB to review the proposed measures to ensure compliance with the Olympic Charter and engage in consultations with NSFs to collaboratively promote sports development,” the letter stated.
The federations warned of potential protective actions, including disaffiliation from the PSB and IOC, should their concerns go unaddressed.
At a General Council meeting held on November 30, 2024, the POA adopted a resolution reaffirming the autonomy of NSFs.
| Key Points of the Resolution | Implications |
|---|---|
| Rejection of external interference in governance, elections, and dispute resolution. | Ensures NSFs maintain international recognition and compliance with the Olympic Charter. |
| Recognition of elections conducted as per NSF constitutions. | Protects the legitimacy of current leadership structures within federations. |
| Commitment to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as the highest appellate authority for sports disputes. | Rejects PSB-imposed alternative dispute resolution mechanisms conflicting with the Olympic Charter. |
| Warning against PSB measures that jeopardize international affiliation. | Highlights the risk of losing recognition from International Federations (IFs) and the IOC. |
The resolution will be submitted to the IOC, IFs, and relevant stakeholders for official acknowledgment. Meanwhile, the PSB has yet to respond publicly to the federations’ concerns.
Pakistani sports are already suffering and the warring PSB and the federations will only make the matter worse.
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