Daily Times

LAHORE: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has decided to support the Government in its fight against deadly coronavirus pandemic. The POA will form a force of volunteers who will work in accordance with the Governmental Guidelines to help distribute necessary items to vulnerable sportspersons and others whom the Government identifies. “Our country is passing through trying times and almost every person, organisation, in fact the whole country is making all efforts to control the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). In this national effort, the Olympic Family will also fulfill its social obligations and responsibilities,” said POA President Lt Gen (r) Syed Arif Hasan on Wednesday. He said through the National Olympic Committee’s huge resource base of sportspersons, the POA could provide an effective platform for networking, educating and developing a network of sportspersons who can participate in a national movement to promote the safety and well being of athletes of all ages and abilities specially those who need to overcome certain economic issues.

“With sports activities at a standstill, we should use this situation by focusing on assisting our colleagues who need to be assisted, athletes whose statistics are still remembered by the whole country but their relevance long forgotten,” he said. “We need to garner all our resources, use our influences, use the social media platforms to advise and guide our fellow sportspersons about the directions of the local authorities and governmental institutions. We must help our colleagues who need our help. We must educate our fellow sportspersons and augment the efforts of the Government and the Administration in every way we can,” he added.

The POA chief said both the Federal and Provincial governments had announced certain measures including a package to provide relief to vulnerable people and they needed volunteers and the POA would assist Government in this regard. “We reiterate our complete support and endorsement of the organisational channeling of relief goods through the systematic approach to reach the most vulnerable people who are directly affected by the COVID-19’s forced closure of daily activities/life.”

The POA chief said, in line with the announcement made by the Prime Minister, all national sports federations, Provincial Olympic Associations and departments had been requested by the POA to prepare a list of vulnerable athletes and officials along with their contact details and addresses and highlight the “affected” areas and surroundings where food and medical supplies were required. “A list of the donors, charitable organisations and other similar private establishments should also be made,” he added. “With these lists, we all will be able to provide a readily available data of the vulnerable sportspersons, if any, to relevant governmental authorities and charitable organisations, and will extend support as much as possible from this platform”, said the POA chief. He emphasized the need to adopt highest medical and safety guidelines by the volunteers and similar guide line be followed by all personnel associated their respective organisations. April 6 has been fixed to provide data to the POA.