Joyride trips by PSB chief costing dear

Author: By Hassan Raza Hashmi

ISLAMABAD: No let up in joyride trips by Director General (DG) Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera has been witnessed. Sheer decadence in the field of sports persists even as the performance of Pakistani sportsmen falls to new lows. DG PSB has reached Kyrgyzstan on a four-day trip soon after spending 20 days in Brazil during the Rio Olympics.

The case questioning his qualification is pending hearing in the Supreme Court (SC). He proceeded to Brazil as part of the Pakistan squad in connection with the Rio Olympic Games. Despite some Pakistani athletes returning home, he remained in Brazil till the concluding ceremony of the games. He has just reached Pakistan after enjoying the facilities at the expenses of the government and has left for Kyrgyzstan along with the national wrestling team to watch world martial art bouts which have started from September 2.

On condition of anonymity, sources said that the powers to run financial matters of PSB rest with DG PSB and due to lack of financial powers, the acting DG PSB had to face difficulties in running the affairs of the PCB during the Olympics games. Certain files pertaining to financial matters were put on hold till the arrival of Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera from Brazil.

Sources said Akhtar Nawaz Gnajera was enjoyed a close rapport with former Prime Minister (PM) Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani and he has succeeded in satisfying senior officials during PML-N’s incumbent government. Therefore, he is exercising his powers without any check and balance. He is all set to fly to Vietnam to attend the 5th Asian beach games commencing from September 25. He is pursuing all means to influence Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) in this regard as POA has to rely upon government funds to participate in these games and the funds summary is worked out and sent by PSB to the federal government for approval.

The government on the other hand has taken notice of poor performance by Pakistani players in Rio Olympics and a case calling into question the qualification and competence of Ganjera is pending hearing in Supreme Court.