KARACHI: President of Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP), retired Maj Gen Mohammad Akram Sahi said on Thursday that hosting of the 48th National Athletics Championship in the metropolis after more than a decade will send positive message about the improved law and order situation here.

He admitted that it’s very unfortunate that the premier athletics championship of the country could not take place in the city for long due to one reason or the other but assured that it will return to the city after five to six years.

Sahi was addressing a press conference at the PSB Coaching Centre on Thursday to unveil details of the mega event. He was flanked by the AFP secretary Mohammad Zafar, retired Col Zafar Ahmed, Sindh Athletics Association President Syed Zahid Ali Rizvi, SAA Women’s Wing President Humaira Khan and veteran athlete Mohammad Talib.

At the outset Sahi shared details of his meetings with the Corps Commander, DG Rangers Sindh and the Sindh Sports Minister earlier in the day. ‘I have drawn their attention to laying of more tartan tracks in the city and the province in order to create healthy environment and to improve the existing standard,’ he maintained.

He said that it is a dilemma that over 20 million population city has just one facility for track and field which is more than two decades old.

Applauding the athletics standard in Karachi during the years gone by, the AFP president said the city always used to have two to three fantastic athletes in the national teams.

He paid rich tributes to Talib for playing consistent role in providing fine athletes at the national level through his Athletic Fitness School.

He also made special mention of Karachi-based former South Asian sprint queen Naseem Hameed.

Sahi thanked the PSB for sending Capt Ashraf from Islamabad for facelift of the facilities besides sending the required equipment.

He went on to say that since coming at the helm of affairs in 2011, he has awarded playing rights and affiliation to Fata, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The AFP chief said he was elated that some 200 men and women participated in the technical officials refresher course the other day.

“To encourage gold medal winning athletes, the AFP had started giving cash prizes sometime back on the lines of the world body IAAF,” he maintained.

Answering a question he said while the AFP receives an annual grant of just Rs 3 million from the PSB, its expenditure come to around Rs15 to 20 million.

To another question, Sahi said the estimated budget of the national championship is between rupees six to seven million.

Asked about the role of Olympian athlete Sumaira Zahoor, who tested positive for steroids and was suspended for two years in 2010, he said the AFP has made their rules flexible to induct her as national women’s coach. “Since she has called it a day as an athlete and is a former national champion, she has been inducted as a women’s national coach to assist Seemin Rizvi and Bushra Parveen,” he disclosed.

Sahi warned that there will be no compromise on ‘cheating’ and if any athlete is tested positive and gets the two-year suspension, the AFP will double the ban and his or her coach will also be penalised.

Answering a question regarding AFP providing some monetary help to the family of athlete Nadia Nazir who recently died in a road accident, he said: “The AFP will definitely make a humble contribution in recognition of her services.”

He also cited other examples where the AFP have contributed to acknowledge the feats of athletes.

Asked about honouring veteran Karachi athletes who have donned Pakistan colours. Sahi agreed with the idea to invite and honour them during the meet.

Published in Dawn, April 7th, 2017