July 18, 2008	Friday	Rajab 14, 1429

LAHORE, July 17: The Federal Sports Minister Najamuddin Khan, stated on Thursday that sound and effective majors will be taken to revamp the entire sports culture of the country as the present system is erratic and faulty.

Speaking to journalists the minister stressed that the Government wanted to make drastic changes in the sports field for which major steps will be taken immediately after the Olympics.

“Many influential persons are running the national sports federations, despite the fact that they are not in a position to even spare two hours for the game and to promote any sport the country needs professionals who are willing to devote 24 hrs of their time as it is a full time job” he said.

He pointed out that in order to keep the culture of influential persons away from sports , the entire system had to be restructured for which he would work on a priority basis.

Referring to the recent change of secretary PHF Khalid Mahmood to Asif Bajwa he pointed out the hue and cry that ensued after the move. phue and cry when he changed the secretary Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Khalid

He went on to specify that it was the government’s prerogative to take action against all sports bodies including Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Pakistan Olympic Association and Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) against their poor performance. The minister was apprised that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA, the international football governing body could suspend Pakistan membership in case of government interference in its affairs, he played r played down the factor citing that could not harm the sports any further, because Pakistan were already on zero level.

Responding to a query about the PCB ,being the richest sports body in the country was besmirching the reputation of the country by daily controversies and doping scandals The minister blamed the presnt system which was ruining sports.

He futher added that the National sports policy would be implemented in its true spirit. Wherby the players will be provided job opportunities both by the government and private sectors.

It was further pointed out to the minister that the federal government had decreased the sports budget for 2008-09, to which he contended that

That was done because the last government could not use the full budgetary amount of Rs 520 million. The government had allocated the budget to build up infrastructure, but the last government could only spent around Rs 100 million as the remaining amount had been lapsed, he said.