Syed Arif polled 48.5 of the votes at the election to defeat his opponents, Muhammad Akram Sahi from the Athletics Federation of Pakistan, who got 32.5 votes, and Qasim Zia, the President of the Pakistan Hockey Federation, with 21.

The election proved to be controversial because Akram Sahi had the backing of the Pakistan Army, who had urged Syed Arif to "pull out". 

Under the rules of the POA, Olympic sports disciplines had three votes each, while non-Olympic sports disciplines had two votes each.

But several sports, including badminton, basketball, cycling and equestrian, were unable to vote because of legal disputes.

The provincial Olympic associations, affiliated departments, including the Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Railways, Pakistan's Water and Power Development Authority, Higher Education Commission and Pakistan Police, had one vote each.

The Islamabad Olympic Association and FATA Olympic Association had half a vote each.

The Athletes Commission of Pakistan had two votes while four votes were for women members.

Syed Arif promised that he would not hold any grudges against his defeated rivals and would do what is best for Pakistan sport. 

Pakistan have failed to win a medal at the Olympics since their hockey team claimed the bronze medals at Barcelona in 1992.

"I was quite hopeful of winning the elections for the third time as I had got the complete backing of majority of sports federations," said Syed Arif.

"With the conclusion of the elections, there is no grouping now.

"I respect them all and will take their input whenever needed."

"My friends had forced me to run for the President slot as they wanted me to complete outgoing projects for the betterment of sports in the country.

"My emphasis during my third term will be raising the sports infrastructure at the grassroots level."

Syed Arif took over as President of the POA in March 2004, succeeding Syed Wajid Ali, who had held the post for 28 years and was 91 when he retired.

Muhammad Khalid Mahmood was voted general secretary. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]