KARACHI, Nov 22: President of the Sindh Netball Federation (SNF) Mudassar Arain on Tuesday raised serious objections on the manner in which the 16th Sindh Games, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from Dec 2 to 4, are being organised by the Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) and pointed out that clear violations of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter are being made which should be looked into by the higher authorities at once.

In a letter sent to the print media, Mudassar pointed out that the SOA office-bearers are bent upon violating the rules and regulations chalked out by the IOC which could prove damaging for sports in the province.

According to the SNF official, the SOA is violating the rules by reducing the number of participating teams and regions at their own whim besides reducing the number of players and coaches for the events.

Mudassar futher pointed out that the same reduction policy has been applied to technical officials, umpires and refrees as the SOA secretary approved only two female technical officials to supervise all the netball matches in the Sindh Games which was next to impossible without any time-keepers and scorers who have not been allowed to assist teams in the Games.

The letter also highlighted how the tug-of-war discipline has been excluded from the Sindh Games by the SOA secretary who also happens to be the organising secretary of the event.

“The Sindh Tug of War Association is affiliated with SOA, Sindh Sports Board and Pakistan Tug of War Federation while the discipline will also be included in the upcoming 32nd National Games in Lahore. So how can it be ignored in this event?” questioned Mudassar.

He also noted with regret that while as per the SOA constitution, only the affiliated units of their national sports federations should have been allowed to take part in the Sindh Games, it was alarming to note that many unaffiliated/parallel federations has also been invited for participation.

Mudassar regarded this as extremely disturbing for genuine sports bodies in the province such as the Sindh Bodybuilding Association, Sindh Judo Association, Sindh Basketball Association, Sindh Badminton Association and Sindh Cycling Association.—Agencies