PESHAWAR, (Pakistan Point News - 21th july, 2016) : President FATA Olympic Association Shahid Khan Shinwari has appealed President Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Lt. Gen (Retd) Arif Hassan not to let anyone to throw FATA youth into the flames of militancy and extend fullest support to his faction rather than ignoring it. He said this while addressing a press conference here at Media Center of Qayyum Sports Complex on Thursday in response after a press report wherein he quoted Vice President Pakistan Olympic Association Syed Aqil Shah as saying that contingent of FATA Olympic Association would not be allowed in the forthcoming National Games until and unless the FATA OA would hold elections within 60-days.
"Why they are involving us in politics as FATA held their election according to the constitution of the POA," he added. "Since FOA affiliation with POA in 2011 and despite insurgency and militancy, the FATA Olympic Association had organized numerous sports activities with the support of President FOA and former Governor Engr. Shaukat Ullah," Shahid said. He said it the legal and constitutional right of the FATA youth to participate in the forthcoming National Games to be organized in Quetta, Balochistan, under the supervision of POA for which the FATA Olympic Association would organize two month training and coaching camp.
He also requested President POA to increase the number of players in the FATA contingent to atleast 300 instead of 150 or 180 so that maximum numbers of FATA youth could be provided an opportunity to represent FATA in the National Games. FATA is full of talented and peace loving youth but no attention was paid to them and they were ignored at all level.