Lieutenant-General
Syed Arif Hasan
HI(M)
President Pakistan Olympic Association
In office
March 2004 – 1 January 2024
Preceded bySyed Wajid Ali
Personal details
AwardsHilal-i-Imtiaz (Military)
Military service
Allegiance Pakistan
Branch/service Pakistan Army
Rank Lieutenant General
CommandsX Corps
I Corps

Lieutenant-General (ret.) Syed Arif Hasan (born 11 Nov 1950) is a former Pakistani sports administrator and retired 3 star rank general officer in the Pakistan Army. He was the former president of the Pakistan Olympic Association and under his nearly 20-year tenure, the country did not win any medals. He was also elected unopposed as the Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia in 2007. He also served as chairman of organizing committee of 9th SAF Games Islamabad.[1][2][3]

In 2021, he was asked to stepped down by Shahbaz Gill the then Special Assistant to Imran Khan but Arif refused to do so.[4]

Military career

As a Major General he served as Vice Chief of General Staff. In Oct 2001 he was promoted to rank of Lieutenant-General and appointed commander X corps,[5] Rawalpindi. Later in September 2003 he was appointed commander I Corps, Mangla.

2004 South Asian Games

While still serving in army Arif Hasan was appointed chairman of organizing committee of 9th SAF Games Islamabad. SAF Games were originally scheduled in Islamabad in October 2001 but were postponed over security fears after 9/11.[6] They were then rescheduled for March 2002 but were again postponed due to border tensions between Pakistan and India. In March 2002 year Pakistan was forced to cancel the event due to the war in Iraq.[7][8]

The Games were finally held in 2004.

Pakistan Olympic Association

Gen Arif Hassan was elected President of Pakistan Olympic Association in November 2004. He was re-elected in 2008 and again in 2012 before finally resigning in 2024.[3][9]

Two term limit issue

Pakistan Sports Board which comes under government of Pakistan in its 2005 sports policy put a two term limit on office bearers of sports federations. The policy was reaffirmed by Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2011. Gen Arif Hassan refused to accept this decision taking a plea that it violates the Olympic Charter. In 2012 he was re elected to a third term. While government formed a parallel committee,[10] the International Olympic Committee threatened to ban Pakistan.[11][12] Finally in July 2014 Pakistan Sports board and Government recognized Arif Hasan as president of POA.[13]

Olympic Council of Asia

Gen Arif Hasan was elected unopposed as the Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia in 2007.[14]

Archery Federation of Pakistan

He was the President of Archery Federation of Pakistan.[15][3]

References

  1. ↑ "OLYMPICS THE OLYMPIAN OF SPORTS POLITICS". 15 December 2019.
  2. ↑ "Brief Profile". February 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 "Pakistan Olympic Association president Arif Hasan steps down after 19 years in office". 31 December 2023.
  4. ↑ "Pakistan's Olympic panel chief asked to step down". 14 August 2021.
  5. ↑ Three corps get new commanders - Newspaper - DAWN.COM
  6. ↑ rediff.com: sports channel - South Asian Federation Games cancelled in Afghan crisis
  7. ↑ SASF unanimously confirms 9th SAF Games in Islamabad next year
  8. ↑ Saf Games Islamabad 2004 - Social & Political Issues Forum - Pakistani Defence Forum
  9. ↑ Welcome to Pakistan Olympic Association
  10. ↑ Revision of National Sports Policy : IOC gives Pakistan Government Jan 31st deadline
  11. ↑ IOC all set to suspend Pakistan on July 7
  12. ↑ Olympics: IOC to hold another meeting with IPC – The Express Tribune
  13. ↑ PSB to recognise Arif Hasan-led POA – The Express Tribune
  14. ↑ Olympic Council of Asia : Council
  15. ↑ POA chief Arif elected Pakistan Archery Federation president


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