PESHAWAR, Sept 8: Secretary General of Pakistan Olympic Association, Mohammad Latif Butt has alleged that due to lack of interest on the part of Ministry of Sports and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) sportsmen were unable to prepare themselves and take part in internationally organised events and tournaments.

“Except for a few games, Pakistan lacked the potential to compete at international level and win any medal, even in Asian games”, he said.

The POA official claimed that the lack of interest of the government was quite evident from the fact that during the last 10 years, only once a joint meeting of Sports Ministry, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the representatives the affliated association had taken place, whereas according to the PSB’s Constitution, at least one meeting should be held annualy.

The meeting is of paramount importance for the promotion of sports in the country, as it provides an opportunity to the officials of all departments and associations  to deliberate upon all issues hindering sport activities, said Latif.

He expressed concern over the lacklustre attitude of the PSB and sport ministry, saying they were ultimately responsible for the decline of sports in Pakistan.

The POA’s secretary general also lamented PSB’s decision of omitting 11 games from its list for the last Asian Games and sent its squad to Busan without participation of the Pakistani players in basic Olympic games, such as athletics, gymnastics, swimming, table tennis, judo karate and cycling.

He disclosed that out of the total annual grant of Rs 70 million received by the PSB, Rs 40 million was up used by the salaries of the employees attached with the board.

The total grant received by 38 association at the national level was less than Rs 10 million in an year, while the government was asking the sport promoting bodies to expand their activities to tehsil levels.

All the associations are finding it extremely hard to provide basic facilities to the registered players, he said.

“In the recent fiscal year, the Indian government  has allocated Rs 3 billion for the promotion of sports In paradoxical situation Pakistan is supposed to perform well at SAF Games, then in Asian Games and later on think about a good performance at Olympic level also, he said.

He suggested that elaborate arrangements needed to me made for next edition of the SAF Games planned to be held in Pakistan in 2004.

Latif, also stated that that besides delegates of other members countries, Indian delegation comprising two MPs and  other officials,  is arriving in Pakistan on 16th September to participate in a meeting scheduled to be held the same day- September 16 in Lahore.

He said that sports could play significant role in improving bitter relations between Pakistan and India.

He  expressed his displeasure over reports regarding restriction over women’s sports in NWFP, saying that the Taliban government in neighbouring Afghanistan had adopted such inflexible posture which deprived Afghan women to take part in international sports events.

According to him, the government should be very careful, because the International Olympic Association is very sensitive and closely monitoring changes taking place inside Pakistan.

About the available facilities to sportsmen, he lamented that they are not provided proper scholarships so that to travel to big cities and improve their skills and win medals for their motherland at international level.

He said that comparatively, Punjab was investing some amount on the training of its players and this was the reason that they won nine out of ten gold medals in just concluded 11th National Swimming Championship.