Key Takeaways
- The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has decided to initiate action against parallel sports federations.
- A committee will examine the issue of federations conducting elections without federal government participation.
- Disputes over the Pakistan Padel Federation are being addressed by a separate committee.
The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), the country’s apex sports body, has decided to take action against parallel federations. This decision was made at a recent board meeting chaired by Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah Khan.
According to sources, the PSB approved the formation of a committee headed by the IPC secretary and comprising the president of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and other officials. The committee's task is to examine the issue of parallel federations and their status.
The board also discussed taking action against federations that conducted elections without the participation of election commissioners appointed by the federal government and the PSB. This move aims to ensure transparency and compliance with established regulations.
One specific dispute being addressed involves the Pakistan Padel Federation (PPF). Two rival groups continue to claim legitimacy, leading to a separate committee being constituted. The committee will comprise the IPC joint secretary, the PSB deputy director general, the president of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, and the president of the Pakistan Tennis Federation.
The Mateen-led group holds affiliation with the International Padel Federation (FIP) granted in 2024, as well as Padel Asia. It claims to have affiliated provincial bodies in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, recognition from the Islamabad Olympic Association, support from two departments, and backing from the POA.
The rival group, led by squash legend Jahangir Khan, maintains that it is the legitimate federation because it has secured PSB affiliation. Mansoor Ali Khan, a television anchor, claims to have affiliated units in Punjab and Islamabad. He argues that the Mateen-led body bypassed the PSB and obtained affiliation from the FIP illegally.
The dispute was brought to the Sindh High Court after the PSB issued a provisional affiliation letter to the Jahangir-led faction. The court suspended the PSB’s decision and directed it to hear both parties and decide the matter afresh within 20 days.
An office-bearer of the Mateen group argued that the PSB could not grant affiliation to a federation lacking international recognition, alleging that the board had denied affiliation to his group before issuing a provisional letter to the rival faction. This highlights the complexities involved in managing sports federations and ensuring their legitimacy.
