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Press Release: IOC takes a grim view of happenings in Pakistan Back To Main

Rectify or face consequences, IOC warning to the highest authorities in Pakistan

Resounding endorsement for Gen. Arif Hasan led POA:

Unless ‘situation is rectified’ dire consequences loom:

Any attempt by any other body to claim NOC illegal, groundless, with NO CHANCE to be successful:

All bank accounts and properties belong to the IOC backed POA

LAHORE: September 7, 2013–The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has thrown all its weight behind the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) headed by President Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Arif Hasan, condemning the illegal takeover of the POA headquarters in strongest terms, and also, among other serious consequences for Pakistan and its athletes, has clearly mentioned that, “Any attempt by any other body to claim to be a ‘National Olympic Committee’ in Pakistan is illegal and groundless and has NO CHANCE to be successful.”

And if no action is taken to rectify the situation, and “the IOC Executive is obliged to take measures” Pakistan and Pakistani athletes will suffer: “it goes without saying that this would seriously affect the sport and the athletes in your country.”

In a communiqué issued from Buenos Aires (where its Executive Board was meeting) addressed to the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Arif Hasan and copied to all international federations affiliated with it, including the one governing hockey – the FIH – and also the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) clearly spelling out the consequences of relentless government intervention that has resulted in unathorised, forced takeover of the POA headquarters by impostors supported by some government functionaries.

The IOC letter (copy attached) from the outset mentions that the IOC Executive Board was apprised of “the situation of the Pakistan Olympic Association, including the latest developments”, and that “it condemned the intervention operated by the police and group of individuals claiming to represent an illegal ‘parallel body’ the office of the legal and legitimate Pakistan Olympic Association headed by you [Gen. Arif Hasan]”.

It goes on to state: “Any attempt by any other body to claim to be a ‘National Olympic Committee’ in Pakistan is illegal and groundless and has no chance to be successful. No other body than the Pakistan Olympic Association currently headed by you can operate as the National Olympic Committee in Pakistan and exercise the rights granted by the Olympic Charter and the IOC.”

The letter that lists dire consequences for Pakistan, divulged the contents of the IOC letter which makes it clear:

i)          The “IOC Executive Board firmly condemned the intervention operated by the police and a group of individuals claiming to represent an illegal “parallel body” to take over by force the office of the legal and legitimate Pakistan Olympic Association headed by you.

ii)         “This unacceptable action and the regular attempts from the government to interfere with the operations of the Pakistan Olympic Association during the past months constitute a blatant violation of the Olympic Charter.

iii)         “We wish to reiterate, once again, that there is only one National Olympic Committee in Pakistan that is the Pakistan Olympic Association currently headed by you as recognised by the IOC. Any attempt by any other body to claim to be a “National Olympic Committee” in Pakistan is illegal and groundless and has no chance to be successful. No other body than the Pakistan Olympic Association currently headed by you can operate as the National Olympic Committee in Pakistan and exercise the rights granted by the Olympic Charter and the IOC.

iv)        “As a consequence no entity other than the IOC recognised Pakistan Olympic Association currently headed by you can claim to have any jurisdiction over the properties of the Pakistan Olympic Association including in particular its bank account. As you know the funds deposited on the bank account of the Pakistan Olympic Association come from the IOC and OCA and, as such, belong to the Olympic Movement. Therefore your bank must not allow anyone other than the IOC recognised Pakistan Olympic Association currently headed by you to operate this bank account. You are kindly requested to notify this to your bank so that all the necessary measures will be taken accordingly.

v)         “The IOC will now examine all the facts which led to this situation. If it is confirmed that the Pakistan Olympic Association currently headed by you is no longer in a position to exercise its activities freely and safely, due to the intervention by force of the government and/or any other external body, and if no action is taken to rectify the situation immediately, the IOC Executive Board confirmed on 4 September 2013 that all the necessary measures, including the suspension of the NOC, will be taken to protect the NOC and the Olympic Movement in your country in accordance with Rule 27.9 of the Olympic Charter which states: Apart from the measures and sanctions provided in the case of infringement of the Olympic Charter, the IOC Executive Board may take any appropriate decisions for the protection of the Olympic Movement in the country of an NOC, including suspension of or withdrawal of recognition from such NOC if the constitution, law or other regulations in force in the country concerned, or any act by any governmental or other body causes the activity of the NOC or the making or expression of its will to be hampered. The IOC Executive Board shall offer such NOC an opportunity to be heard before any such decision is taken.

vi)        “Should the IOC Executive Board be obliged to take such measures it goes without saying that this would seriously affect the sport and the athletes in your country. The relevant government authorities as well as the group of individuals who are constantly acting in violation of the Olympic Charter and ignoring the numerous IOC’s warnings will then have to be held responsible, before the Olympic Movement, the athletes and the public opinion in your country, for this extremely unfortunate situation.

vii)             “Please convey a copy of this letter to the highest government authorities of Pakistan.”