PRF accused of discrimination against Balochistan rowers, excluding them from upcoming National Games

KARACHI: Pakistan Rowing Federation (PRF) has been accused of discriminating against Balochistan’s rowing players by excluding them from the upcoming 35th National Games.

Balochistan Rowing Association through M Rahim Mandokhail, Advocate High Court, has sent a legal notice to PRF and the Director General of Pakistan Sports Board while requesting the latter to take prompt action against the federation.

The notice says that the PRF leadership, specifically Rizwanulhaq (Chairman PRF) and Hamdan Nazeer (President PRF), have been engaged in unlawful exclusionary practices against the office bearers and players of the Balochistan Rowing Association (BRA) based on racial discrimination.

“During the 34th National Games held in Quetta, the BRA successfully organized the rowing events under the umbrella of PRF at Rawal Lake, Islamabad, securing substantial funds from the Balochistan Sports Department.

“However, following the National Games, the PRF authorities, in conspiracy with the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), ensured the exclusion of BRA from the Balochistan Olympic Association elections held on June 10, 2023.

“As a result, the BRA’s 30-year-old membership was terminated, reinforcing PRF’s discriminatory policies aimed at marginalizing Balochistan’s rowing community and jeopardizing the future of its officials and players,” says the notice.

Similarly, in the quadrennial (2022-2026) elections of PRF held on 29-01-2022, the PRF authorities deliberately excluded the nominations and representatives of the BRA, perpetuating a continuous pattern of racial bias and exclusion, it adds.

“These actions violate the regulations of the International Rowing Federation (FISA), the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), and the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).”

Also, the PRF blatantly violated established rules and regulations by excluding BRA officials and players from the 37th National Men’s Rowing Championship and the 4th Women’s Rowing Championship, held from December 6-8 last year at Rawal Lake, Islamabad.

Now, as part of its continued discriminatory and biased policies, the PRF is again attempting to exclude BRA officials and players on racial grounds from the upcoming 35th National Games 2025, scheduled to be held in Sindh.

“The deliberate marginalization of BRA players by PRF further alienates local youth in Balochistan, pushing them towards negative influences such as drug abuse and other harmful activities.

“This is especially disgraceful for PRF considering that BRA athletes train at the Hayat Durrani Water Sports Academy (HDWSA), which is Pakistan’s premier international rowing, canoeing, and kayaking Olympic sports academy,” states the notice.

The notice says PRF does not have any rowing boats and water racing equipment, and is always dependent on government and forces to organizing national events. “The BRA, as the governing body for rowing in Balochistan, has actively promoted rowing for over three decades. It is duly affiliated with the PRF, the Balochistan Olympic Association, and is officially registered with the Balochistan Sports Board.

“Despite this, PRF has deliberately marginalized BRA athletes, undermining their morale and jeopardizing their future in the sport,” stated the BRA. The BRA demanded immediate ban on the PRF, restoration of BRA’s official recognition, initiation of legal proceedings and immediate disciplinary action against the PRF leadership, BRA’s fair representation and participation in all national rowing championships and related activities, and strict legal action against Rizwanulhaq and Hamdan Nazeer.