BUSAN, Oct 8: International Olympic Committee (IOC) fully supports the stance of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) on objecting some parts of the national sports policy and will not accept any decision which is imposed upon them (POA).

“IOC is an independent body and believes in the freedom of its member countries and interference from any quarter in the affairs of the POA will not be accepted,” said a spokesman in an interview with APP Tuesday.

POA and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) are engaged in a legal war over the sports policy introduced by the government to bring reforms in the overall structure of the Games.

The policy bars any office bearers of the POA and all the national sports federation for contesting for the third term after completing two successive terms in office, each of four years.

POA has assured government of its support regarding implementation of the policy, barring the two years restriction and has challenged this clause of the policy in a court.

The IOC spokesman who held a number of important meetings with the officials of Olympic Council of Asia, said IOC charter does not allow any quarter to interfere in any NOC and any action to curb the freedom of the POA will be a clear violation of its (IOC) charter.

“ We are closely watching the situation and POA is updating us in this regard and we except that things will be done in true spirit of sports,” he said.

IOC spokesman said it is upsetting for the IOC to go through such situations in which various NOC’s are interfered by various quarters.

“Such interferences can bring adverse results, suspension of respective NOC country or withdrawal of their membership, but, all such actions always aim at protecting the prestige of a particular NOC and to show unity,” he said.

He said freedom of NOC’s was very important to IOC and it cannot comprise on this issue and has always resisted pressure put on a NOC for freezing its freedom.

“We are a Olympic family and are putting in united efforts for the promotion of sports globally and our pledge is to promote sports and to support our affiliated member countries,” he maintained.

IOC spokesman said if IOC charter is violated in Pakistan then an appropriate action will be taken which may results in the suspension of POA or barring of Pakistan for competing in international meets.—APP