January 12, 2008	Saturday	Muharram 02,1429

LAHORE, Jan 11: Two possible candidates contesting the Punjab Olympic Association elections, scheduled for Jan 31, have raised objection over the venue of the elections and demanded a neutral place.

In a joint press statement issued by the secretaries of the Punjab Badminton Association, Aamir Hayat Rokri, and the Punjab Baseball Association, Khawar Shah, it was said that the current president of the Punjab Olympic Association Syed Shahid Ali had selected his own business office as the election venue, which is against the norms of justice.

Aamir and Khawar are possible candidates for the post of president and secretary of the Punjab Olympic Association.

They alleged that the venue was selected to only allow in those members who would cast votes for the current hierarchy under whose command sports in Punjab touched the lowest ebb. Punjab finished seventh in the last National Games.

Like its central chapter, the Punjab Olympic Association has also decided to hold elections prior to the scheduled date of April 31.

The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) is also holding its elections on Feb 9, instead of the scheduled date of March 12. Sports circles believe both the bodies are holding the elections prior to the schedule as it will be a hard task for them to get themselves elected after the country’s general elections on Feb 18.

In case of a change in the political setup after the general elections, new faces with the patronage of a new government will be more powerful.