ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) self-styled policies and biased behavior with genuine persons is harming sports and making future of Pakistan sports quite bleak.
In the latest episode of series of blunders by the PSB management, Athletics Federation of Pakistan (PSB) president Major General (R) M Akram Sahi, whom International Athletics Federation (IAF) duly recognized, was stopped at the main entrance by the security staff posted at the main gate. Although these so-called security staff can't prevent dubious persons from entering the complex, but they do intervene and try to be over smart when it comes to stop genuine persons from making their way into the complex. Gen Sahi was accompanied by Major (R) M Afzal, who is a well known person and office holder of Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) and also has an office inside the PSB premises.
When these two tried to know why they were being stopped as they were frequent visitors and had nothing to do with security or any other issues, but no one listened until deputy director general facilities Agha Amjedullah was approached, who finally allowed Gen Sahi and Maj Afzal to enter the complex.
These two gentlemen were just stopped because they always advocate for the supremacy of law, emphasize on providing justice and speak openly against illegal activities and self-styled policies of PSB Director General Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera, who was barred by Lahore High Court (LHC) from performing duties, but against court orders and clearly committing contempt of court, Ganjera is enjoying all the perks and privileges.
In the recent past, Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) secretary Imtiaz Gill was also stopped by the security at the gate. The reason behind teasing and barring Imtiaz from entering the complex was that he had complaint about illegal activities of the PSB DG and his companions and demanded equal treatment.
When contacted Agha Amjedullah to seek his point of view about the situation, he said: “Nobody was stopped, as it was routine security check and they were allowed to enter the complex. No one has given any direction to stop anyone but it is high ups order to maintain complete check and balance of who enters the stadium.”
Not only sports officials, but journalists too are barred to enter the PSB premises to cover sports events. The PSB admin tries to create one or another hurdle in their way just to deny access to information and hush up their wrongdoings. The PSB is purely public property and every citizen of Pakistan has the right to visit the place where top athletes of the country prepare them for the mega national and international events.
Pakistan Sports Complex was constructed with the purpose of providing maximum facilities to athletes and work as a sports facilitator body, but unfortunately, people sitting at the helm of affairs are destroying the PSB’s image, but also inflicting huge damages on the credibility of the present government.
Who is DG or any other person to stop them from exercising their right of entry? It is high time when the IPC minister must wake up from deep slump and stop favouring the PSB corrupt mafia. The sporting circles have demanded stern action against all those who have been destroying the image of the PSB and bringing bad name for the government and country. It is hoped immediate action will be taken and the Lahore High Court will take sue motto action against Ganjera, who is not following the court orders.