PSB grills AFP for team’s visit to India without NOC

ISLAMABAD: The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) currently under fire for poor selection that fetched poor results at the just concluded South Asian Junior Athletics Championship, is currently being interrogated as the Pakistan Sports Board has sought explanation for sending the team to India without seeking NOC from the competent authorities.

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) in a letter sent to AFP Secretary Lt Col (r) Shahjehan Mir made it clear that no NOC was sought for team’s travel to India for the Junior Athletics Championship, which is in direct violation of article 7(1)(xxxiii) of the PSB Constitution.

The AFP has been asked to submit its reply at the earliest. The letter written by the PSB (The News has the copy) says: “It has come to the knowledge of the PSB that the AFP recently sent a contingent to India to participate in an international sports event without obtaining the mandatory NOC from the government. This action is in direct violation of article 7(1)(xxxiii) of the PSB Constitution, which mandates that all affiliated federations must obtain NOC before proceeding abroad for any international event.

“Your attention is drawn to a recent incident involving another federation, where an athlete was sent abroad without NOC and subsequently slipped in the foreign country. An inquiry conducted by the PSB revealed that the office-bearers of the federation were responsible for this gross mismanagement. This precedent highlights the gravity of such actions.

“It is also pertinent to mention here that your request for issuance of NOC was received in PSB on August 12, 2024 and your latest email, in response to the clarifications sought from you, was received as late as September 2, 2024. You are aware of the fact that as per guidelines issued by the PSB, a request for NOC must be submitted at least six to eight weeks prior to the event as such events are scheduled in the international calendar.

“In view of the above, we request you to kindly provide clarification on the circumstances that led to the athletes’ traveling without the NOC. We trust this matter will be given the attention it deserves, and we look forward to receive your response at your earliest convenience,” the letter added.

It is pertinent to mention that when it comes to competing in any sports event in India, the rules are even strict. The concerned federation has to get NOC from secret agencies and different ministries before taking up such a tour. One wonders why the AFP has failed to complete the required documents to get NOC for the Indian tour. The AFP secretary was not available for comments and he yet again did not pick the call. Once the federation will furnish a reply to the explanation letter, it will be published.