LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday allowed 62 Pakistani athletes to take part in the 20th Commonwealth Games while disposing of an appeal filed by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), asking for a permission to send the contingent in the backdrop of a legal case concerning the status of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) which is currently in the court.

In the main petition filed by POA faction of Akram Sahi group, the LHC has suspended two letters issued by the PSB endorsing Arif Hasan’s body as the genuine POA.

The PSB counsel told the court that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) only recognises Arif Hasan as the POA president and the names of the players for participation in the Commonwealth Games were finalised by Arif.

The counsel argued that the participation of the players in the prestigious games was in the doldrums since the court had suspended the letters of the PSB recognising Arif’s POA.

The court, however, clarified that the stay order earlier issued did not hit the participation of the players. The court further said the stay was against holding of the office of association’s president and use of its accounts by Arif Hasan.

The court directed the sports board to take steps for participation of Pakistan athletes in the Commonwealth Games.

AFP adds: A 62-member squad will leave for Scotland to feature in the Commonwealth Games on Monday and we got a final go ahead, PSB director general Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera told media.

The 20th Commonwealth Games are scheduled from July 23 to Aug 3 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Pakistan will participate in eight disciplines — badminton, boxing, gymnastics, shooting, swimming, table tennis, weightlifting and wrestling.

Pakistan has competed in 11 of the 19 previous Commonwealth Games, from 1954. Its most successful Games have been the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth, where it was fourth in the overall rankings by winning eight gold medals.

Pakistan’s most successful sport in the Games has been wrestling where they won 37 medals, 20 of which have been gold.

Published in Dawn, July 19th , 2014