Normal view of Jinnah Stadium in Islamabad. — Pakistan Sports activities Board
KARACHI: Sports activities federations, beneath the umbrella of the Pakistan Olympic Affiliation (POA), have written a joint letter to the Pakistan Sports activities Board (PSB), urging a evaluation of proposed measures that they declare threaten the autonomy of nationwide sports activities federations.
The letter, signed by leaders of 23 totally different sports activities federations, expressed grave considerations over the PSB’s proposed measures, which the federations argue might undermine the independence of NSFs and violate the rules set forth by the Olympic Constitution.
“It has come to our attention that the Pakistan Sports Board is in the process of enacting rules and regulations that may significantly affect the autonomy of National Sports Federations (NSFs) affiliated with the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA),” the letter states.
“These measures, as we understand, include the establishment of an election commission of PSB, adjudication on internal matters and complaints within NSFs by PSB, and PSB’s powers to impose ad-hoc committees on NSFs.”
The federations additionally emphasised that such actions had been in direct battle with the Olympic Constitution, which stresses the significance of governance buildings remaining free from exterior interference.
The letter additional referred to a 2021 communication from the Worldwide Olympic Committee, which clearly reaffirmed the precept of non-interference within the governance and inner affairs of NSFs.
“The IOC’s note and subsequent letter issued by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, Government of Pakistan, have strongly emphasised that government interference in the governance and internal matters of the NSFs constitutes a violation of the principles outlined in the Olympic Charter,” the letter provides.
The federations have referred to as for the PSB to rethink its measures, aligning them with the Olympic Constitution and the statutes of Worldwide Federations.
“We respectfully request the PSB to review the proposed measures to ensure they align with the Olympic Charter, IF [international federation] statutes, constitution of NSFs, and IFs as well as hold consultations with NSFs to collaboratively work for the promotion and development of sports in Pakistan,” the letter urged.
The federations warned that if their considerations will not be addressed, they could be compelled to take motion to guard their autonomy.
“In case our request is not considered by the PSB, we, the NSFs, will be compelled to take protective measures, including disaffiliation from the PSB and IOC, to retain our status as NSFs.”
They concluded the letter with a name for a cooperative method to make sure the continued progress of sports activities within the nation: “We trust that the PSB will give due consideration to our request and take necessary steps to uphold the autonomy and independence of NSFs, which are fundamental to the success of Pakistan’s participation in international competitions and the Olympic Movement.”
The PSB has not but publicly responded to the federations’ request.
Decision handed emphasising NSFs are autonomousÂ
In a associated improvement, through the Normal Council Assembly of the POA held on November 30, 2024, a decision was handed by the federations reiterating their dedication to the rules of autonomy as enshrined within the Olympic Constitution.
The decision, which was adopted by the Nationwide Sports activities Federations, affiliated with the POA, emphasised that NSFs are autonomous entities certain by the Olympic Constitution and the statutes of their respective Worldwide Federations.
The decision categorically opposed any exterior interference within the governance, electoral processes, or dispute decision mechanisms of the federations.
“NSFs reaffirm their commitment to the principles of responsible autonomy enshrined in the Olympic Charter, IF statutes, and the POA Constitution, and categorically oppose any external interference in their governance, electoral processes, or dispute resolution mechanisms,” the decision reads.
The federations additional expressed their respect for the Authorities of Pakistan, acknowledging the significance of sustaining harmonious relations with governmental establishments, however harassed that any acceptance of supervisory management by the PSB would jeopardise their worldwide affiliation.
“Consequently, any acceptance of supervisory or authoritative control by the Pakistan Sports Board over the NSFs would jeopardise our international affiliation, compromising the recognition of our NSFs by our respective IFs,” the decision acknowledged.
The federations additionally declared that, within the occasion of the PSB enacting guidelines and laws that contravene the Olympic Constitution and the statutes of IFs, they might be compelled to take protecting measures to keep up their standing as impartial our bodies.
“In the event the PSB enacts rules and regulations in contravention of the Olympic Charter and the statutes of IFs, NSFs, and the POA, we the NSFs will be compelled to take protective measures to maintain our status as NSFs compliant with the Olympic Charter,” the decision emphasised.
The decision additionally affirmed that the elections already carried out by NSFs in accordance with their respective constitutions and recognised by the Worldwide Federations and POA would stay legitimate, with future elections to be carried out with out exterior interference.
“The elections of NSFs that have already been conducted in accordance with their respective constitutions and have been recognised by the IFs and the POA shall remain valid and recognised until the completion of their respective terms,” the decision acknowledged.
In addition they reiterated their recognition of the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as the best authority for sports activities disputes, rejecting any different dispute decision mechanisms imposed by the PSB.
“NSFs reaffirm their recognition of the CAS as the highest appellate authority for sports disputes and reject any alternative dispute resolution mechanisms imposed by the PSB that conflict with the Olympic Charter, IF statutes, and the POA Constitution,” the decision concluded.
The decision will probably be submitted to the IOC, IFs, and all related stakeholders for acknowledgement and official report.
