Pakistan Olympic Association to make National Beach Games meet International Standards
Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) disclosed to hold First National Beach Games in Karachi later this year.
Pakistan Olympic Association’s (POA) chief Lt. General (R) Arif Hassan on Monday asserted that the First National Beach Games, to be held in Karachi later this year, would be organized according to international standards.
Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, he said that foreign nations would also be invited to become part of the spectacle. “By doing so we will try to give a message to the world that Pakistan has the capability to organize international events,” he said.
He also told that sports personalities of international repute would be sent invitations as well. “Sponsors will also be involved. After making a complete package, I will share that with the media,”
However, he they are also aware of it that they would also have to prove that no law and order issue in Karachi. “We will try that these Games are even better than the South Asian Games which we had organized in Islamabad in 2004,”
He said that the POA would send a delegation next week to Quetta in order to inspect infrastructure for the 33rd National Games. “We have told the organizers that both venues and equipment should be made ready before finalizing dates for the biennial spectacle,” Arif added.
About the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Vision 2020, Arif said that the POA would have to incorporate all its clauses in its constitution. Some of the clauses relate to gender equality, protection against harassment, and anti-doping measures. He said that in a few days the POA would be sending to IOC the document amended as per its instructions.
Arif said that their tough days eventually ended when the Supreme Court announced that the POA was a private body. “Now we will be in a position to play an effective role in sports development,” the POA chief said.
About the country’s football situation, he said that as per IOC’s rules an NOC is to recognize only that federation which is affiliated with its International Federation (IF). “FIFA will take the final decision and we will own that federation which is owned by FIFA,” Arif said.
