ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has been advised to ban Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) general secretary retired Lt. Col Shahjehan Mir from travelling with athletes as manager for future international events.

The recommendation came on Monday from a three-member committee, which was set up to probe a recent controversy which saw two Pakistani athletes fail to participate in the Asian Indoor Athletics Championship despite being present in host city Tehran.

The committee, headed by PSB director general Mohammad Shahid, pointed out negligence on the part of the AFP, hence directing action against Shahjehan.

“The PSB may not recommend to issue NOC in favour of Lt Col (retired) Shahjehan Mir Secretary General of AFP as ‘Manager’ with athletic team participating in the international competition,” read the inquiry report. “It also recommended that PSB may also direct AFP to immediately initiate an inquiry and execute stern action against responsible person as per provision made in AFP’s constitution. Report of inquiry may be shared with PSB and Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination.”

The committee also pointed out that PSB may issue directions to all national sports federations to frame terms and references of the managers proceeding abroad with their athletes to participate in the international competition followed by capacity building program to avoid such untoward incidents in future.

“PSB may also direct all NSF to state the role of Manager and other officials in the PSB’s Per­forma for sending Pakistan Sports Teams/Spo­rts Person abroad,” the inquiry committee recommended and stated that this matter may be reported to the PSB’s board in its next meeting.

Last week, after terming AFP’s response unsatisfactory, the PSB on Thursday formed the committee to probe the non-participation of Shajar Abbas and Jaffar Ashraf in the Championship.

Sources said the AFP’s secretary told the probe committee that due to the shifting of the Technical Information Centre from the hotel to the stadium, which was one and half hour drive away, he reached there in the second session but entries of the two athletes were rejected.

He also told the committee that athletes of two other countries faced similar situation. However, the committee pointed out that in case the TIC was shifted from the hotel to the stadium, the manager should have reached there well on time to register the said athletes.

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2024