Arif replaces Aamir Ali as acting DG PSB

ISLAMABAD: Arif Ibrahim — a BS-21 officer of OMG — has replaced Aamir Ali Ahmad as the acting director general of the Pakistan Sports Board.

Currently working as the Ministry of IPC’s senior joint secretary, Arif has been appointed DG PSB for 90 days or till the time the government appoints a full time director general.

Aamir was never interested in the post in the first place. He was convinced to take over the job by IPC Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada. He was instrumental in initiating some concrete measures to make the sports board practical and professional. His term was to end in June.

In his two-month duration as DG PSB, Aamir brought about several changes. Transparency and rules were enforced at the PSB after several years.

The department had run out of resources. However, through tight financial control, the situation was managed and government funding was secured. Political and outside pressures were resisted.

The medal winners of XXI Commonwealth Games were — for the first time — given financial reward within a month of their achievements. Similarly funding for hockey and tennis was secured.

In these two months, the government’s commitment was secured to organise the South Asian Games. Similarly, the executive committee decided to go ahead with health insurance for sportsmen and also enhancement of funds for sports federations.

However, it seems that his reluctance to set open the doors of the PSB for activities other than sports was the reason for his leaving the charge almost 15 days before the expiry of his tenure.