ISLAMABAD (PEN) : In a significant turn of events, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has imposed lifetime bans on Khalid Mehmood, president of the Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF), and secretary Col (retd) Nasir Ijaz Tung, following the troubling disappearances of three Pakistani boxers during foreign tours.
Over the past two years, three boxers have gone missing, raising serious concerns about the management and oversight of athletes. Notably, Suleman Baloch and Nazeerullah Khan vanished in Birmingham in 2022, shortly after the Commonwealth Games. More recently, Asian bronze medalist Zohaib Rasheed went missing in Italy during the World Qualifying round for the Paris Olympics.
These incidents triggered an inquiry into the PBF officials’ roles in what appeared to be negligence and mismanagement. A committee formed by the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) ultimately recommended lifetime bans for the top officials, urging the PSB to escalate the matter to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
In response, the PSB Board of Governors acted on the committee’s recommendations, barring Mehmood and Ijaz from any future positions within national sports federations. This decision not only reflects accountability within the sports community but also highlights the serious responsibility officials hold in ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes.
Khalid Mehmood, in addition to his role at the PBF, also serves as the Secretary of the Pakistan Olympic Association, amplifying the significance of this ruling. As the sports community reflects on these events, it underscores the importance of safeguarding athletes and maintaining ethical standards within sports administration.
