KARACHI: Last month, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had written a letter to its affiliated national federations that no team would go abroad for featuring in any event unless the relevant federation takes NOC from the government.
At the same time, the Board had also advised the federations that they should send documents for obtaining NOC at least six weeks before their team’s departure.
The foreign ministry had also directed the PSB recently that no team should go abroad particularly India without getting an NOC.
But on Friday, Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation sent its four-member squad to Vietnam without NOC.
The touring party, carrying three fighters and an official, would feature in the Asian Ju-Jitsu Championship which begins Saturday (today).
Jehanzeb Rashid (56kg), Rana Waqar Umar (69kg) and Farhan Anjum (85kg) are set to feature in newaza event in the continental competitions. Tariq Ali is accompanying them as coach.
Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation’s president Khalil Ahmed confirmed on Friday that the touring party flew out for Vietnam.
He said that they waited for NOC but did not get any response from the PSB.
“We had submitted the documents in time but I don’t know why it was delayed,” Khalil said.
Khalil had also requested the Board for special grant.
Initially the federation wanted to send 16 fighters but later because of financial issues it opted to send only three players.
Meanwhile, a PSB senior official said that sending team abroad without NOC is a violation of the rules.
“I will check the record when PJJF had applied for NOC. As per rules, complete documents in every respect should be submitted to the PSB six weeks before departure,” the official said.
He said that it is the fault of the immigration officer at the airport who allowed the touring party without getting NOC from the government.
“Those federations who are affiliated with the PSB should wait for NOC. If a federation does not get NOC then it is also not entitled to get special grant from the state and the action is also an offence,” the official said.
The official added some teams go abroad, even India, without NOC.
“Some teams particularly those of kabaddi tour India and they are mishandled there. And due to such incidents in the past foreign ministry has now directed the PSB that teams touring abroad should get NOC especially from the foreign ministry,” the official added.
However, he was quick to add that sometimes the Board keeps silent on such tours as it does not want the athletes to suffer.
“But we again advise the federations that they should meet the required rules for sending teams abroad,” the official added.
