Dunya News - Parallel Olympic associations biggest problem with sports in Pakistan

Pakistan is probably the only country in the world which has two parallel Olympic associations working in the country. The issue started two years back when in February 2012 Arif Hassan became the President of the Pakistan Olympics Association for the third time. According to Sports Policy of Pakistan Sports Board, nobody can hold an office for more than two times. <br />The issue was taken up before the courts. Meanwhile, Arif Hassan and Akram Sahi, Arif’s opponent, formed two parallel boards. The two boards caused a divide in the players as well and several players have been unable to appear in international events due to this issue only. A good number of athletes will not be able to attend the Common Wealth Games as well for this reason now. <br />Though after intervention by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) the Government of Pakistan was forced to take a decision yet the decision has not been of any help. Government had accepted Arif Hassan as the President of Pakistan Olympics Association after IOC’s intervention but Akram Sahi took the matter to the court. <br />Now that the court order has been received, the players will be attending the Common Wealth Games but the match between Akram Sahi and Arif Hassan continues on the legal front.