The POA had criticised the condition the Olympic House was left in as "shabby" ©POA

The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has returned to their headquarters after an agreement was reached between the body and a rebel group led by Akram Sahi.

Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) President Sahi, who once led a parallel National Olympic Committee, had occupied the Olympic House in Lahore in September 2013 in protest against the Syed Arif Hasan-led POA.

The AFP, as well as the Pakistan Judo Federation, Pakistan Cycling Federation and the Pakistan Netball Federation, all also split from the POA, although they remained recognised by their respective International Federations.

There had been the possibility last year, though, that Pakistan could have been suspended from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) before the situation began to improve.

Following a meeting between Sahi, Arif and Olympic Council of Asia President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah in October, there had been hopes of a deal being agreed, 

OCA director Haider Farman and IOC member Shahid Ali were in attendance for the handover back to the POA.

The POA, though, claimed the House had been returned in a “very shabby condition”.

The POA have returned to their headquarters after an agreement was reached with the Akram Sahi group
The POA have returned to their headquarters after an agreement was reached with the Akram Sahi group ©POA

“Similarly, the record was found unorganised and scattered, the hard disks of computers, laptops and souvenirs, which were available in the Olympic House on the day of forceful occupation are not there,” POA secretary general Khalid Mahmood told the Daily Times in Lahore. 

“All this came to the light and was observed when the POA office was again re-established on Tuesday, the damaged condition of the Olympic House will be reported to the IOC and the OCA at the earliest.

“But the most important aspect to note is that justice prevailed after two years and three-and-a-half months following a row which completely damaged the promotion of sports in the country.”

In addition to handing over the Olympic House, the agreement also required Sahi to withdraw cases filed against the POA in the courts, while the athletics, cycling, judo and netball Federations would also need to be readmitted to the POA.

The IOC are due to verify each of the status’ of the Federations in the country prior to the POA’s elections being held and should any doubts remain the world governing body of the sports in question would be recommended to intervene.

POA Executive Committee meetings to discuss the elections, which are are currently expected to be held on February 3, as well as the status of the Olympic Movement in the country.

A decision is also due soon on whether Pakistan will participate at the South Asian Games in Guwahati, India from February 6 to 16, following alleged security concerns.