ISLAMABAD - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has endorsed all the federations backed by Pakistan Olympic Association in a letter sent to the POA.
It would be a huge blow for AFP President Major General (R) M Akram Sahi as he was relying on the IOC to back his stance regarding voting rights of the respective federations.
In their letter addressed to the POA, the IOC said some federations were categorically challenged by some declaring these as parallel/illegal but once again the IOC/International Federations confirmed the bonafide of these federations as recognised by the POA. These federations include: Archery Federation of Pakistan, Pakistan Badminton Federation, Pakistan Basketball Federation, Pakistan Boxing Federation, Pakistan Gymnastics Federation, Pakistan Softball Federation, Pakistan Table Tennis Federation, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation, Pakistan Tug of War Federation, Pakistan Volleyball Federation, Pakistan Weightlifting Federation and Pakistan Wushu Federation.
It is pertinent to mention here that Lt Col Wasim Ahmed Janjua led Taekwando Federation is one of the most active federations and Gen Sahi had himself called Col Wasim and sought his support for the upcoming POA elections but reasons best known to Gen Sahi, he challenged the legitimacy of Col Waseem-led Taekwando Federation.
While talking to The Nation a high-placed source in the POA confirmed that the confirmations regarding remaining national sports federations had also been received from the International mother bodies of respective federations and duly verified by the IOC. However, the Bodybuilding, Ju-Jitsu and the Kabaddi Federations have not been confirmed as their IFs are not affiliated to the IOC, while the International Netball Federation has refused to issue affiliation certificate to Pakistan Netball Federation on the premise of the statutory violations for which the NOC is in contact with IF as well.
Meanwhile, the NOC of Pakistan has felicitated the IOC for once again confirming the genuine composition of the POA General Council that has eventually concluded the dispute of the parallelism in national sports.