PSB seeks AFP’s explanation on Mashhad athletics fiasco

ISLAMABAD: The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) is under investigation for its late (eleventh-hour) withdrawal from the Imam Ali Raza Athletics Championship, which inflicted financial losses on the host country, Iran, and prevented Pakistan’s budding athletes from competing against the best ahead of the Asian Athletics.

The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has written a letter to the AFP seeking an explanation as to why it has failed to compete in the Ali Raza International Athletics despite seeking the NOC from the PSB and confirming their participation to the organisers, who have made all the necessary arrangements including visa documentations.

The international event that concluded in Mashhad was to feature an eight-member Pakistan contingent that had been meticulously preparing for months. However, as the Iranian organisers were en-route to the airport just days ahead of the start of the event -- after arranging non-refundable hotel bookings, transportation, and meeting all logistical requirements -- they received a last-minute notification from the AFP that the team would not be on the incoming flight.

Speaking exclusively to ‘The News’ (which carried the story a few days back), one of the meet organisers expressed both frustration and bewilderment at the sudden turn of events. “We had completed all preparations. Hotel rooms were booked -- non-refundable ones -- transport was arranged, and we were looking forward to welcoming Pakistan. Just as we were heading to the airport, we received a call informing us the team would not be arriving. It was a huge shock.”

She confirmed to ‘The News’ that the organisers were planning to write a letter to the international body as well as to the AFP to express their concern about Pakistan’s late withdrawal. The PSB letter of explanation addressed to the AFP says: “Late withdrawal has caused serious embarrassment to Pakistan at the international level, severely undermined the morale of our athletes and strained bilateral sporting relations.”

The PSB had already issued NOC for the team’s participation after fulfilling all the formalities. “Furthermore, according to the statements from the Iranian organisers, all visa arrangements were completed.” “Such behaviour reflects poorly on the governance and accountability of the federation. AFP is hereby called upon to submit a detailed written explanation within three days of the issuance of this letter, stating the reasons behind the abrupt withdrawal.”