LAHORE, Feb 5: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has expressed apprehension that Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) endorsement of a decision regarding formation of a parallel POA body may lead Pakistan to face suspension from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The POA alleges that the PSB has taken a decision of forming a parallel POA body during a meeting held last Sunday in Islamabad.

“Some 25 persons, among whom only 12 were genuine, held a secret meeting in Islamabad last Sunday to announce a parallel body of the POA which is all unconstitutional and illegal,” said POA president Lt Gen (retd) Arif Hasan at a crowded press conference held here on Tuesday.

“The POA might not have taken the meeting seriously, but according to some newspapers, the PSB joint secretary (Ghaffar Qureshi) has endorsed decision of those who have formed a parallel POA body which makes the issue serious.” said the POA president.

Arif further said: “The endorsement has come from a government official giving a clear message to the IOC about government interferences in the POA affairs.”

“The timing of the meeting was calculative as the IOC is going to discuss the matter of government interference in the POA affairs during a meeting to be held on Feb 15 at its headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“And such kind of act from a government official gives a clear proof that the government is supporting those who are acting against the IOC charter.” he commented.

However, the POA president clarified that it will seek to convince the IOC that a majority of the national sports federations are following its charter in Pakistan and added that if the IOC takes any step against Pakistan, the POA will try to ensure players’ participation in international events, though under different circumstances.”

He admitted that though the IOC suspension would damage interests of the POA and players, it would certainly help those with vested interests achieve their nefarious design, adding that these people are not ready to admit their defeat in the last POA elections.

“All stakeholders including media witnessed that the POA held its last year’s elections under a fair atmosphere and even my rivals admitted their defeat and all is on the record,” he said.

“It is also on the record that my rivals have acknowledged all rules formulated for smooth conduct of the elections but now they are also involved in the dirty game,” said the POA president.

It is to be noted that Arif defeated Athletics Federation of Pakistan president Akram Sahi and Pakistan Hockey Federation president Qasim Zia to win POA elections on Feb 4, 2012.

Talking about Islamabad meeting, the POA president said that no agenda was issued for the meeting which was totally against the IOC charter.

He also disclosed details about those who attended the Islamabad meeting, saying that a total of 25 members attended the meeting, but the POA considered only 12 as genuine who belong to athletics, gymnastics, hockey, netball, squash, tennis, tug-of-war, Balochistan Olympic Association, Islamabad Olympic Association, Army, Navy and Pakistan Air Force.

The POA president vowed that strict action would be taken in the upcoming meeting of the POA against those who attended the unconstitutional meeting in Islamabad. The general council meeting of the POA will be held here on Feb 12.

Earlier, prayers were offered for departed souls of former POA secretary Abdul Khaliq Khan and adviser to Sindh chief minister Dr Mohammad Ali Shah.