ISLAMABAD - Federal Minister for IPC Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada has urged the necessary quarters to officially contact the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to apprise them the transparency of recently-conducted elections of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and legality of newly elected POA setup in Pakistan.
He gave this direction at a meeting with the newly-elected POA president Maj Gen (retd) M Akram Sahi who called on his in at office in Islamabad, said a spokesman of the POA here on Tuesday. “At the outset the Federal Minister formally congratulated the newly-elected office bearers of the POA and assured them full support of government for the promotion of sports. “Points raised by the POA chief were fully endorsed and consensus achieved between the two dignitaries,” he said.
“The Federal Minister directed the concerned officials to provide all-out assistance to the newly-elected setup of the POA. Riaz clearly spelt out that existing POA setup/office at Lahore be handed over to the newly-elected POA body and issued instruction to the illegal/defunct POA body to vacate the office of POA at Lahore with immediate effect, so that the newly body can commence operations as soon as possible,” he added.
“At the end, the Federal Minister directed the legal officials of the Ministry of IPC to issue instructions for legal against all those who are defying the national sports policy 2005. Defaulters to be dealt with legally and punitive action be taken against as per the rules,” he asserted.
“The POA president thanked the minister for gracing the closing ceremony of the recently-concluded National Games 2013 and the support extended by the government for them,” he added.
“Gen Sahi assured the minister that no stone will be left unturned for the promotion of the sports and the POA will work hand in hand with the government for the overall development of the games. Moreover, the charter of IOC will be followed and implemented in true letter and spirit,” he concluded.