A parliamentary panel on Wednesday stressed the need for reunifying Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) so that sports related activities inside and outside the country could be promoted. The National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter Provincial Co-ordination (IPC) met here under the Chairmanship of Abdul Qahar Khan Wadan with an agenda to get a comprehensive briefing on Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
The committee members showed serious concerns over the split in POA saying that sport bodies should not behave like this as these bodies are responsible for Pakistani players' representation on international level. Director General (DG) PSB Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera briefed the committee regarding role, functions, powers, its working, facilities and budget allocation and attached association with PSB. DG also briefed the committee on issue related to Pakistan Olympic Association and rules of International Olympic Association.
Ganjera while briefing the committee said that both groups of POA were led by two retired generals and no one was willing to surrender. He added that the PSB was trying to resolve the matter amicably. The Chairman committee inquired about the current status of sports complex in Balochistan, to which DG PSB said after the 18th amendment as a part of devolution process it is transferred to the provincial government. DG informed the committee that 92 percent work on a new boxing hall in Karachi is done.
Member of the committee MNA Shafqat Hayat Khan suggested the committee to hold a meeting at all centers of the country to check work and progress. Committee expressed its dissatisfaction over the allocation of funds and performances by the different Associations. Mentioning to the budget of National Rifle Association of Pakistan, Shafqat Hayat said huge budget is allocated to rifle association yet we never seen its presence or performance in any tournament.
Member for the committee MNA Iqbal Ahmad asked DG PSB about issues with Tenpin Bowling Association and why they went to National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against him, to which DG PSB responded that he does not have any issue with tenpin Bowling association. DG asked for supports and funds for improving the performance of PSB. DG said that the main functions of the Board include the implementation and monitoring of the sports policy in conformity with national objectives and to recommend measures for designing and development of sports policy, to maintain liaison with international agencies and organisations for sports promotion in Pakistan. He added it also include to encourage training and coaching of sportsmen at national level, to affiliate, assist and guide the national games and sports organisations in executing their programmes of sports activities etc. The Prime Minister is the Patron-in-Chief of Board and it has 85 members and an Executive Committee consisting 18 members. The approved strength Pakistan Sports Board is 656 countrywide.
The Committee also visited the Liaquat Gymnasium, Jinnah Stadium and Swimming Pool Complex and showed their satisfaction over the available infrastructure which was in a good condition. The Sports Boards administration was also appreciated for their remarkable achievements/performance in national and international sports events. The Committee also met with the Women Handball National Team, Women Kabbadi National Team and also shared their views which were very encouraging for these young sportswomen of the country. The Committee also recommended that the issue of funds allocations may be resolved on the priority basis to enable the enhanced sports activities in the county as well as at the international level.
The meeting was attended by Saeed Ahmed Khan Manais, Ms Sabiha Nazir, Siraj Muhammad Khan, Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan, Sardar Muhammad Shafqat Hayat Khan, Aftab Shaban Mirani, Rana Muhammad Hayat Khan and Moulana Ameer Zaman MNAs, and Secretary Ministry of Inter Provincial Co-ordination besides senior officers from Ministry of Inter-provincial Co-ordination and DG, Pakistan Sports Board also.
Comments
Comments are closed.