ISLAMABAD: In a significant move, the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) has recommended life bans on Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) secretary general Khalid Mahmood, who is also the president of the Pakistan Boxing Federation, and PBF secretary general Col (retired) Nasir Ijaz Tung after a Pakistan boxer slipped in Italy during an international event earlier this year.

Following the shocking report regarding a Pakistan boxer slipping in March, the IPC ministry formed a high-profile inquiry committee headed by a senior IPC officer Ashfaq Ahmad Malik.

The committee, besides imposing a ban on both the officials, also pointed out that “prima-facie the case involves human trafficking,” and the matter, after getting input from the Board of Governors of the Pakistan Sports Board, may be referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

The inquiry committee recommended recovery of Rs1 million besides adding that the two officials, Khalid and Col Tung, “may not be considered for holding position in office of any of the National Sports Federations in future”.

The committee stated that a boxer, named Zohaib Rasheed, slipped in Italy during the first World Qualifying Tournament held in March 2024.

On the basis of the available information and the response received from the PSB and the PBF, the report added that the unwanted incident in Italy caused considerable disgrace for Pakistan — this act not only built a sense of mistrust amongst the relevant stakeholders but also led to serious consequences on the genuine visits of Pakistanis, especially players and athletes intending to visit abroad.

According to the inquiry report dated July 19, Zohaib and other boxers proceeded to Italy to compete in the tournament in question without seeking mandatory NOC from the government and permission from the PSB.

The report said that the submission of the surety bond and undertaking was the responsibility of the respective office-bearers of the boxing federation. Therefore, they are liable to pay Rs1 million for the missing boxer as they sent the boxers without getting the NOC from the government and the PSB.

The members of the inquiry report stated that this report should be presented before the PSB Board of Governors in the next meeting, as a regular agenda item for information, consideration and taking appropriate action.

“Subject to [the] outcome of Board’s decision, [the] matter may be referred to the FIA as prima-facie the case involves human trafficking,” read the report.

An official of IPC said that Khalid Mehmood, the PBF president, was serving as POA secretary and now, when a lifetime ban has been recommended for him, he also could not hold the office of POA secretary.

It is relevant to note here that in an unfortunate development a couple of years ago, two Pakistan boxers — Suleman Baloch and Nazeerullah — slipped in England after the Commonwealth Games ended in Birmingham. The matter however was put under the carpet and no inquiry was completed.

Col Tung claimed that the PBF had nothing to do with the slipping of the boxer (Zohaib).

‘Completely baseless’

While Khalid Mehmood could not be approached for his comments, PBF secretary general retired Col Tung in his response on Wednesday termed the inquiry report “completely baseless”.

“He was our best boxer and our hope for a medal that was why we selected him. We requested the PSB to arrange training camp for our boxers but they refused and we had to arrange a camp for five boxers in Lahore for the event in Italy,” Col Tung recalled.

“We trained our top boxer to help him produce [his] best performance not for slipping. Therefore, levelling allegations of human trafficking against us are not only baseless but shameful also,” he said adding that he would challenge the inquiry report before a court of law.

“The committee formed by the IPC Ministry does not have the authority to impose a ban on office-bearers of the [national sports] federations,” he contested.

To a query, he said that the PBF was not supposed to get an NOC from the PSB, rather an NOC from the Navy.

“We got that in order to ensure the boxer’s participation in the [Italy] event.”

Responding to a question on slipping of the two other boxers in Birmingham, Col Tung said: “The PBF had nothing to do with the disappearance of these boxers. Rather this was their individual act, which was strongly condemned by the federation.

“Then PSB director general retired Col Asif Zaman was part of the 2022 Commonwealth Games contingent. If there was any fault, he should have been asked by the PSB and the IPC Ministry,” Tung insisted.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2024