The Pakistan Sports Board has imposed a ban on Syed Fakhar Ali Shah, the General Secretary of the Pakistan Federation Baseball, from participating in any sports-related activity. The ban was imposed due to Shah’s repeated violations of the NOC (No Objection Certificate) rule, which requires sports teams to obtain permission from the Pakistan Sports Board before traveling abroad. Shah has been accused of facilitating the departure of teams abroad without obtaining the requisite NOC from the PSB, and has also been found to have submitted a forged NOC purportedly issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The matter was referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for further investigation, and the PSB has requested all departments, federations, associations, and sports entities not to correspond with or extend any cooperation to Shah. The ban is effective until further orders, and Shah has been given the right to appeal the decision within 30 days.
Shah is a prominent figure in Pakistani sports, having inherited the leadership position of the Pakistan Federation Baseball from his late father. He is also the Vice President of the Baseball Federation of Asia and was recently elected as the President of the South Asia Baseball and Softball Federation. Despite his prominent position, Shah’s actions have been found to be in violation of the PSB’s constitution, and he has been accused of willfully violating the NOC rule.
The PSB’s decision to ban Shah is a significant one, as it highlights the importance of complying with the NOC rule and the need for sports federations to prioritize the safety and well-being of athletes. The NOC rule is in place to safeguard athletes from human trafficking and other illegal activities, and Shah’s repeated violations of this rule have raised serious concerns about his fitness to lead a sports federation.
The ban on Shah is likely to have significant implications for the Pakistan Federation Baseball and the broader sports community in Pakistan. It remains to be seen how Shah will respond to the ban and whether he will appeal the decision. However, the PSB’s actions demonstrate a commitment to upholding the rules and regulations of sports governance and ensuring that sports federations are held accountable for their actions.