Babar Khan Gori, MQM MNA from Karachi, had inquired from the Ministry of Sports, Culture, Tourism and Youth Affairs to state whether it was a fact that four Pakistani cricketers were accused of possessing drugs (marijuana) in tour of West Indies 1993, if so their names and the action taken against them by the Pakistan Cricket Board. The then captain Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Aqib Javed and Mushtaq Ahmed were held on the charges of possession of the drug. They had to spent a night in hold up before the Pakistani authority got them rescued.
To another query by the MNA, it was stated that the Sixes Tournament held in Hong Kong in 1997, the Cricket World International (CWI) directly paid the participation amount of US$ 14,000 to captain Wasim Akram. Since the tournament was not an approved event of the International Cricket Council and the amount was disbursed to the team members, no action was taken against the skipper. However the PCB asked Wasim Akram not to receive any amount this way in future.
Meanwhile, availability of floodlights at Qaddhafi Stadium, Lahore was given as the only reason when asked why other major cities of the country were ignored while holding the Independence Cup last year.
The MQM MNA also questioned the credibility of two national selectors who have played less then seven Test matches during their cricket careers. He maintained that if so, then what is the justification of their appointment.
In reply the ministry stated that Shafiq Ahmed and Salahuddin have played 6 and 5 Test matches respectively. Both have played first class cricket for very long time and Shafiq Ahmed has the distinction of scoring 71 centuries in the first class. Salahuddin has been appointed selector for the fifth time and he was the chairman of the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) Selection Committee for quite some time. The present chairman of selection committee Wasim Bari has played 83 Tests for Pakistan.
The house was told that there were no proposals to appoint Javed Miandad as captain for the forthcoming World Cup in 1999. Javed having scored 8832 runs in 124 Tests and Mohsin Hasan Khan 2709 runs in 48 Tests are presently coaches for the senior and junior cricket teams.
Installation of Flood Lights at NSK
The house was informed that PCB has initiated action to install flood lights at Karachi national stadium. A presentation was made by Pakistan based foreign company in this regard. The PCB is contemplating to invite quotations from other foreign firms and it is difficult at this early stage to give time-frame for starting the work.
Sports Foundation fund
The house was informed that during the year 1997-98 an amount of Rs 3,112,710 has been spent on account of financial assistance to the applicants of Pakistan Culture, Arts and Sports Foundation Fund.
PML MNA Tariq Aziz had inquired about the number of applications received during the year and those granted assistance. It was stated that a total of 199 applications were received out of which 150 were entertained whereas the cases of remaining 49 were to be taken up during the next Committee of Administration meeting.
It was stated that the application for grant of financial assistance out of Pakistan Culture, Arts, and Sports Foundation Fund are required to be submitted on a prescribed form. The applications are submitted to the Regional Committees of the Province/area where the applicant ordinarily resides. The committee examines the applications and sanctions financial assistance on the basis of recommendations of the concerned agencies relating to the field of the beneficiary.
It was also stated that the chairman/vice chairman of the committee of administration can also sanction financial assistance in emergent cases on the specific recommendations of the concerned agencies of the ministry of culture, sports, tourism and youth affairs.
National Sports Policy
The house was told that the government was already implementing a comprehensive sports promotion and development programme at the national level in compliance with the provisions of the Sports (development and control) Ordinance 1962.
Some 12-salient features of the programme were given as; to promote and develop standards of national fitness as well as standards of competition, comparable to the international standards; to make the public sports-conscious and to encourage their participation in the national and international sporting events; to affiliate, assist and guide the national games and sports organisations in executing their programmes of sporting activities; to encourage, promote and undertake all such measures as would assist in the development of sports in Pakistan;
To give grants-in-aid and subsides from time to time to the national games and sports organisations affiliated to the Pakistan Sports, Board and deserving sportsmen;
To construct, develop and maintain the national stadia, gymnasia, sports training and coaching centres, squash courts, golf courses and other play fields;
To consider and approve the affiliation of the national games and other play fields;
To consider and approve the affiliation of the national games and sports Organisations to international sports associations and federations and the like in consultation with the Pakistan Olympic Association.
To arrange and secure foreign training facilities and scholarships for Pakistan coaches, sports organisations and sportsmen;To sponsor and provide administrative and financial support for exchange of sports teams, coaches organisers and delegations with various countries at international level;
To approve award and scholarships in the field of sports;
To maintain liaison with international agencies and organisation for sports promotion in Pakistan.
PPI DDS: The National Assembly was told on Thursday that Government has taken serious view of allegations of match fixing against members of Pakistan cricket team and is contemplating to take necessary actions to remedy the situation.
Minister incharge for Sports and Culture, in a written reply to question asked by Waja Karim Dad Baloch during question hour, said PCB's Probe Committee under Mr. Justice Ejaz Yousaf, Sub-Committee of the Senate's Standing Committee on Sports and Culture and one Member Commission of Inquiry comprising Mr. Justice Malik Muhammad Qayyum, Judge Lahore High Court have been constituted to probe into allegations of betting,match-fixing and gambling. He said action will be taken in light of findings of the Committees and the Commission.
He said primarily it is the responsibility of PCB to control and promote game of cricket in Pakistan. The Board stated that allegations are mostly based on media reports and assumptions, which tend to attribute each defeat to betting and match fixing.