LAHORE, Jan 10: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has decided to hold its elections for the next term of four years on Feb 9, much before the scheduled due date of March 12, 2008.

Sources told Dawn that in view of a possible political change in the country following the Feb 18 general elections, the current POA hierarchy is mindful of the fact that they may not retain their posts if the association polls are held on time, i.e March 12.

“Another group headed by Syed Shahid Ali may be in a more favourable position in case any change is seen in the political set up,” sources added.

Shahid had attempted to contest the elections for the post of the POA president against Gen. Arif Hasan in March 2004 but later withdrew his nomination after a powerful political figure in the government intervened.

The current POA hierarchy had failed to deliver in the last four years, despite huge increase in the annual grant of the federal government to the national sports federations.