KARACHI: Sports federations, under the umbrella of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), have written a joint letter to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), urging a review of proposed measures which they claim threaten the independence of national sports federations.
The letter, signed by the leaders of 23 different sports federations, expresses serious concerns about the measures proposed by the General Sports Federation, which the federations say could undermine the independence of national sports federations and violate the principles set out in the Olympic Charter.
“It has come to our attention that the Pakistan Sports Council is in the process of enacting rules and regulations that may significantly impact the independence of the National Sports Federations (NSFs) of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA),” the letter said.
“These measures, as we understand, include the establishment of an electoral committee under the General Office of National Security, the adjudication of internal matters and complaints within the National Solidarity Funds by the National Solidarity Office, and the powers of the General Solidarity Office to impose ad hoc committees on the National Salvation Funds.”
The federations also stressed that such actions are in direct contravention of the Olympic Charter, which emphasizes the importance of governance structures remaining free from external interference.
The letter also referred to the 2021 letter issued by the International Olympic Committee, which clearly affirmed the principle of non-interference in the management of the National Solidarity Funds and their internal affairs.
“The IOC memorandum and subsequent letter issued by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination of the Government of Pakistan strongly emphasized that government interference in the administration and internal affairs of the National Football Federation constitutes a violation of the principles set forth in the Olympic Charter,” the IOC statement said. Adds the letter.
The federations called on the Olympic Games Council to reconsider its procedures and align them with the Olympic Charter and the statute of international federations.
“We respectfully request the PSB to review the proposed measures to ensure that they are in line with the Olympic Charter, the International Federation (IF) Laws and the Constitution of the NSFs and IFs as well as to undertake consultations with the NSFs to work collaboratively towards the promotion and development of sports in Pakistan,” the letter urged.
The unions warned that if their concerns were not addressed, they may be forced to take action to protect their independence.
“If our application is not considered by the PSB, we, the NSFs, will be forced to take preventive measures, including separating from the PSB and the IOC, to retain our status as NSFs.”
They concluded the letter with a call for a collaborative approach to ensure the continued growth of sport in the country: “We are confident that the PSB will give due consideration to our request and take necessary steps to uphold the autonomy and autonomy of the NSFs, which is fundamental to the success of Pakistan’s participation in international competitions and the Olympic movement.”
The PSB has not yet publicly responded to the federations’ request.
The resolution was passed confirming that the national security forces are independent
In a related development, during the General Council meeting of the program held on 30 November 2024, a resolution was passed by the federations affirming their commitment to the principles of autonomy as stipulated in the Olympic Charter.
The decision, which was adopted by the national sports federations affiliated with the National Sports Agency, stressed that national sports federations are independent entities bound by the Olympic Charter and the statute of their international federations.
The decision categorically opposes any external interference in governance, electoral processes, or conflict resolution mechanisms in the federations.
The resolution stated: “The National Security Forces affirm their commitment to the principles of responsible independence stipulated in the Olympic Charter, the laws of the International Federation, and the Constitution of the Action Program, and categorically oppose any external interference in their governance, electoral processes, or conflict resolution mechanisms.”
The federations also expressed their respect for the Government of Pakistan and recognized the importance of maintaining harmonious relations with government institutions, but stressed that any acceptance of supervisory oversight by the PSB would jeopardize its international affiliation.
“Accordingly, any acceptance of supervisory or official oversight by the Pakistan Sports Council over national football federations would jeopardize our international affiliation, thus jeopardizing the recognition of our national federations by our national football federations,” the decision said.
The federations also announced that in the event that the PSB enacts rules and regulations that conflict with the Olympic Charter and the Statutes of the International Federation, they will be forced to take preventive measures to maintain their status as independent bodies.
“In the event that the PSB enacts rules and regulations that conflict with the Olympic Charter and the laws of IFs, NSFs and POA, we NSFs will be forced to take preventive measures to maintain our status as NSFs compliant with the Olympic Charter,” the decision stressed.
The decision also confirmed that the elections already conducted by the National Salvation Front in accordance with its constitutions and recognized by the international federations and the delegation agency will remain valid, provided that future elections are held without external interference.
“The NRF elections, which were already held in accordance with their respective constitutions and recognized by the Islamic Funds and the Action Program, will remain valid and recognized until the end of their term,” the decision stated.
They also reaffirmed their recognition of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) as the highest authority in sports disputes, and rejected any alternative dispute resolution mechanisms imposed by the PSB.
The decision concluded: “The National Football Associations confirm their recognition of the Court of Arbitration for Sport as the highest appellate authority for sports disputes and reject any alternative dispute resolution mechanisms imposed by the Council of the Olympic Games that are inconsistent with the Olympic Charter, the laws of the International Federation and the Constitution of the Agency.”
The decision will be submitted to the IOC, the International Federations and all relevant stakeholders for official acknowledgment and registration.