Karachi, Pakistan, January 4, 2024: The Pakistan Olympic Association has announced that Lt. Gen. (retd) Syed Arif Hasan has resigned as president of the body.
In a press release sent on January 1, 2024, POA Secretary General Muhammad Khalid Mahmood stated that Syed Arif Hasan had sent in a resignation letter dated December 28, 2023, in which he wrote that he wished to step down as President of Pakistan Olympic Association.
“The resignation was accepted by 23 votes out of 25 members present - 14 in-person and 11 on Zoom - at an Executive Committee meeting held on December 31, 2023, and referred to the General Council for its ratification as laid down in the constitution of the POA,” Secretary General Mahmood stated.
Mahmood added: “The vacancy of President POA was filled by the Executive Committee by electing Syed Muhammad Abid Qadri Gillani for the interim period from January 1, 2024 until the forthcoming Elective General Council Meeting of POA scheduled in the last quarter of 2024. Out of 25 members, 23 members cast their votes in favour of Syed Muhammad Abid Qadri Gillani.”
Lt. Gen (retd). Syed Arif Hasan was Pakistan’s second longest serving sports official having been in the post of POA President for 19 years. He had succeeded Syed Wajid Ali Shah as president of the Olympic body in 2004 after the latter had remained in power for 24 years.
The Deccan Herald newspaper stated Syed Arif Hasan had stepped down due to health reasons.
“Yes, I have sent in my resignation as I am in the US for medical treatment and other family matters for which I need my spare time,” the Deccan Herald quoted Syed Arif Hasan as saying.