May 24, 2007	Thursday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 07, 1428

LAHORE, May 23: Former Mr. Pakistan Masoom Butt has lashed out at Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation (PBF) for not promoting the game which is evident from the fact that he has been barred from competing in domestic events.

“The non-serious attitude of PBF office-bearers was evident from the fact that all Pakistani musclemen were tested positive and could not participate in the Doha Asian Games,” he told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday.

Masoom, who had recently won five competitions in

the UK, disclosed that the PBF high-ups were only interested in getting grants from the POA and various international bodies.

The former Mr Pakistan alleged that PBF president Col. Yayha did not allow him to contest for Mr Pakistan Olympia last month because he had participated in the Mr Universe contest organised by the National Amateur Bodybuilding Association (NABA) which was a parallel body of the International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFB).

About his achievements in the UK, he said he won five titles between April 21 to May 3 namely Mr International at Pendle Velly, Barnsoldwick; Pro-Am Oscars in Midland, Birmingham; Mr Titan Show in Heckney Empire Theater, London; Sci-Mentor Pro-AM Classic at Wackfeild, Manchester and Caledonian Pro-Am Classic in Scotland.

Masoom, 35, made it clear that he was ready for any kind of drug test.

Meanwhile, PBF secretary Sheikh Farooq has denied Masoom's allegations.

“We included him in the Doha-bound national team and invited to appear in dope test but he declined,” Farooq said.

The secretary clarified that Masoom was not allowed to participate in the National Games due to a two-year ban imposed on him by the federation for participating in NABA events against which the World and Asian bodies of the game protested to Pakistan.