Arif re-elected OCA vice president

ISLAMABAD: Showing their trust and confidence on the abilities and contribution of Lt. Gen (R) Syed Arif Hasan, (President Pakistan Olympic Association), the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has re-elected him as the vice-president of OCA.

The decision was taken during OCA General Assembly meeting held in Bangkok (Thailand) on Sunday. His re-election to the post came in his absence as he was unable to attend the OCA meeting due to closure of Lahore Airport.

It is surprising to note that at home his services for the sports promotion are not acknowledged to level where he can contribute to national sports cause, his abilities and work for uplift of Olympic cause was honoured by Asian body yet again.

Lt. Gen (R) Syed Arif Hasan, Vice President OCA is one of the five zonal vice presidents of OCA and has been elected unopposed for the South Asian zone which comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

It was under his dynamic leadership, that the Olympic Movement of Pakistan secured autonomy as is envisaged in the Olympic Charter. It may be mentioned here that Syed Arif Hasan was very recently also conferred the highest award in Asia known as the OCA Merit Award for his contributions to the Olympic Movement in Asia.

His unopposed election to the post of Vice President, for the fourth term, speaks volumes of the trust that the Asian Body has in him. It also shows the confidence and trust reposed in him and reliability that he has amongst South Asian nations.

Lt. Gen (R) Syed Arif Hasan has expressed his gratitude to the entire Asian Olympic fraternity and in particular he thanks H.E. Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, President OCA who has been unanimously re-elected as the President OCA. “The NOC Pakistan is delighted at Sheikh Ahmed’s re-election and wishes him the very best for the future. It must be remembered that Sheikh Ahmed has also been a great source of strength for the Olympic Movement in Pakistan,” Arif said.