Pakistan Olympic Association

KARACHI: Former Olympian Naveed Alam has said that he and other Olympians are waiting eagerly to meet Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) in the court.

“We responded to the notices sent to us by the federation 12 days ago. They (PHF officials) were threatening us of taking us to the court. Well, we are eagerly waiting to find them in the court. But as expected, they don’t know what to do as their case is too weak,” Alam, a former Pakistan coach, told PPI.

On January 11, PHF president Qasim Zia asked the former Olympians to apologise unconditionally or face a legal suit. Thirteen former Olympians wrote to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, who is also Patron-in-Chief of PHF, about alleged ill-conduct of the federation.

The federation officials were chiefly blamed for unconstitutionally running the federation and accused of human-trafficking. “There are a lot of cases pending in the court against the federation and we have a lot of evidence to support our claim. Therefore, we are waiting for the federation to come in the court,” Alam said.

He also said that Qasim Zia, who wants to become Pakistan Olympics Association (POA) president, is not eligible to contest the election. “There are cases in the court about constitutionality of his election as PHF president. There are also cases about appointment of secretary Asif Bajwa. So, Qasim is not eligible to contest POA election.”

Alam further said there is clear evidence that Asif Bajwa and associate secretary Rana Mujahid were involved in human-trafficking. “The criminals fear to go to court. We don’t.” Alam also claimed that nearly all the officials of the federation used the federation to get five-year American visa.