ISLAMABAD: The newly appointed Director General of the Pakistan Sports Board, Aamir Ali Ahmed on Wednesday decided to hold special audit of the controversial Quaid-i-Azam Games which was organised by the sports board in December last year.

In the last edition of the Games, the PSB spent over Rs130 million. However, there were reports of misuse of tax payers’ money during these games. “There were some reports of misuse of funds in these games, so I have decided to hold special audit,” DG PSB told Dawn.

He said that during special audit, the picture will be clearer. “Let me make it clear, if any wrong doing is established, I would recommend strict action against the guilty official(s). Being civil servants, it is our duty to protect the authority’s interest,” he said.

It is relevant to note here that there were several rumors and unconfirmed report about massive corruption taking place during the arrangements of Quaid Games. Some officials of PSB spoke to Dawn and alleged that from purchase of shoes to booking hotels for players, kickbacks and corrupt practices were involved.

The DG, however, said he would like to see proof of corruption before taking any decision: “I don’t believe in rumours, to ascertain the facts, I have ordered special audit,” he said.

It is relevant to note here that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has also begun its investigations in the alleged wrongdoings that took place in sports complex during the last four years. The NAB is investigation various projects of PSB such as Narowal Sports City, uplift work in Liaquat Gymnasium, distribution of funds to different sports federations, unauthorized foreign visits, misuse of funds, etc.

Recently, NAB also decided to start investigations against the Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Riaz Pirzada and former DG PSB Dr. Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2018