POA convenes crucial meetings on August 8, 9

ISLAMABAD: The future of Pakistan’s Olympic sports structure stands at a crossroads as the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has convened its Emergent Executive and General Council meetings on August 8 and 9 in Lahore.

With rising tensions between the government and sports bodies, the discussions will revolve around protecting the autonomy of the Olympic Movement amid growing concerns of political interference.

The high-stakes meetings will be chaired by POA President Arif Saeed, who is expected to lead deliberations on what many fear could be an existential threat to Pakistan’s Olympic credibility. At the heart of the storm is the recent spate of directives issued by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), which has drawn the ire of both local federations and international sporting bodies.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its affiliated international federations maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards government interference in the internal functioning of national Olympic committees and sports federations. Under IOC and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) guidelines, all federations are mandated to independently conduct elections based on constitutions that have received international approval. These frameworks are designed to protect the integrity, autonomy, and global standing of Olympic sports institutions.

Recent actions by the PSB are being seen as a direct challenge to this autonomy. The establishment of a state-backed Election Commission and a Dispute Resolution Tribunal without consensus has set off alarm bells.

The PSB has issued strongly worded warning letters to several federations, including those of taekwondo, baseball, and judo, demanding the removal of officials who have served beyond two terms in office.

The PSB’s ultimatum reads: “You are requested to rectify the matter within thirty (30) days from the issuance of this letter. Failure to comply may render the federation ineligible for benefits associated with PSB affiliation, including eligibility for government grants and other forms of support.”

This escalating standoff now raises a fundamental question: Will national federations surrender their authority to the PSB’s newly formed bodies or will they resist in line with global norms and stand their ground under the protective umbrella of the IOC and OCA?

The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has already set a bold precedent by holding its elections under FIFA’s charter, defying PSB directives and asserting its international mandate. Other federations are now watching closely, torn between retaining PSB-linked funding and upholding their independence.

With the credibility of Pakistan’s Olympic movement hanging in the balance, the Lahore meetings could very well determine whether the country continues to be recognised as a compliant member of the international Olympic family or faces censure for breaching the foundational principles of Olympic governance.

One thing is certain: the decisions taken over these two critical days will echo far beyond the conference rooms of Lahore, potentially shaping the very landscape of sports governance in Pakistan for years to come.

Other agenda points of the Executive and General Council meeting are:

1. Confirmation of the Minutes of the last ECM held on 24 June 2025.

2. Compliance of the decisions made in the last ECM dated 24 June, 2025.

3. Update on 1st National Youth Games and 35th National Games Pakistan.

4. Update on the South Asian Games, Continental and other Games.

5. Situation of the Olympic Movement in Pakistan.