POA’s sports commission to meet on 27th

KARACHI: The sports commission of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) will meet at Olympic House in Lahore on July 27 to discuss matters regarding the forthcoming National Games besides some other issues.

“Yes, the meeting will be held on July 27 in Lahore,” POA secretary Khalid Mehmood told ‘The News’ on Friday.

POA senior-vice president Syed Aqil Shah heads the commission. The POA secretary is also the secretary of the commission.

In the meeting, various topics will be discussed, including players transfer rules, events finalisation, formulation of rules for the Inter-Provincial, National Beach and National Youth Games.

It will also discuss the inclusion of the disciplines whose federations were advised by the POA during a recent meeting in Lahore to take action against their controversial officials. These include federations of squash, handball and gymnastics.  Judo and cycling federations have also been asked to withdraw the cases they have filed against the POA.

It is also expected that baseball issue will be resolved and the discipline will become part of the National Games to be held in Quetta from October 7-14.

Ju-jitsu body had also been warned. It has withdrawn its controversial email and so has paved the way for its inclusion in the biennial event.

Meanwhile, an official of Balochistan Olympic Association (BOA) told ‘The News’ on Friday that the provincial Sports Board had not yet got Rs60 million grant which had been requested for renovation of various venues.

“We need the amount by next week.  We will have to prepare the venues one month before the competitions as we also have to hold camps of our provincial sides,” the official said.

The official said that around 400-member contingent of Balochistan would feature in the Games.He said that the provincial government would also have to release amount for TA and DA and equipment.“We need at least Rs150 million. The summary has already been sent to the Chief Minister,” the official said.