KARACHI, Dec 31: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has elected Arif Saeed as its new president for the term 2025-2029, following a remarkable period of leadership by just two presidents over the last 46 years.
Arif’s election was uncontested, succeeding Lt. General (retd) Arif Hasan, who resigned in January 2024 for health reasons after holding the position since March 2004. Hasan took over from Wajid Ali Shah, who served from March 1978 to March 2004, making him Pakistan’s longest-serving sports official.
Both Shah and Hasan played significant yet divisive roles in the country’s sports landscape. Shah’s tenure was marked by close ties to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and Ministry of Sports, while Hasan faced numerous conflicts with these institutions towards the end of his presidency.
An attempt to establish a rival POA with PSB support aimed to force Hasan’s resignation, but this move did not receive recognition from the IOC.
At the time of his resignation, Hasan was serving his fourth term as president.
Under Arif Saeed’s leadership, Khalid Mahmood and Ahmar Malik were appointed as the new secretary general and treasurer, respectively. This marks Arif’s first time contesting POA elections after a two-decade tenure as the president of the Pakistan Rugby Union.
Khalid Mahmood, in his fourth consecutive term as POA secretary general, also presides over the Pakistan Boxing Federation. Ahmar Malik, who is also making his debut in the POA elections, serves as president of the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation.
Notably, Pakistan celebrated its first individual Olympic gold medal at the Paris Olympics this year, achieved by javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, marking the country’s first Olympic gold in 40 years. (Agencies)
