LAHORE: The 1st National Athletes Forum, organized by the Athletes Commission of Pakistan Olympic Association, concluded here on Sunday after a series of impressive lectures from renowned speakers and guests.

The last day of the event started with an informative presentation of the Protection from Harassment and Abuse in Sports. Ada Jafery interacted with the athletes informing them of the issues and problems an athlete might face and the measures to be taken not only by athletes themselves but the tools available and reporting mechanism developed by POA for national athletes.

POA has taken measures to protect the rights of athletes and developed a reporting mechanism to prevent and mitigate such instances. Dr. Asad Abass Shah imparted valuable knowledge to the athletes on the sports injuries and the techniques and remedial measures while Dr. Waqar Ahmed, Chairman Anti — Doping Organization of Pakistan (ADOP) shared the process of Result Management of anti-doping cases with athletes.

The last topic of Athlete’s Branding was delivered by Ahmer Malick, Associate Secretary General POA who shed light on the opportunities and platforms available on social media. Engr. Mujahid Pervez Chatha, CEO LESCO and Shaukat Javed Vice President POA honoured last day and chaired the sessions wherein the experts presented their lectures.

During the course of the forum, online quizzes were also conducted for the athletes and officials.

Winners were awarded shields and gifts. The athletes and organizers also welcomed Muhammad Tayyab Ikram, recognized for his global advocacy of athletes’ rights. He is Member IOC’s Steering Committee on athletes rights as well as member IOC Olympic Solidarity Commission and Chief Executive Officer Asian Hockey Federation.

He interacted with athletes and officials, sharing his valuable experiences in the realm of Olympic Movement leadership working night and day for the protection and strengthening of athletes’ rights.

With the conclusion of the Forum, not only the knowledge was imparted to the athletes, the empowerment of the national athletes has been set as the permanent feature of the Olympic Family of Pakistan.

“We, at the POA, strongly believe that all the stakeholders should collaborate to work together to empower national heroes with the knowledge and authority to deliberate their issues and take an informative decision in challenging situations they face in their sporting journey.”

Muhammad Inam Butt, Chairman Athletes Commission of Pakistan Olympic Association and Lt. Gen (R) Syed Arif Hasan President POA expressed their gratitude to all the participants of the forum and assured the athletes of Pakistan that athletes are not at the heart but the heart of the Olympic Movement as has been emphasized by the H.E. Thomas Bach, President IOC. Khalid Mahmood, POA Secretary General, was also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2020