A state-appointed adjudicator from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has annulled the life ban imposed on Salman Butt, the long-time coach and mentor of renowned Pakistani athlete, Arshad Nadeem.
Senator
Pervez Rashid, who was appointed as the adjudicator, overturned the ban after Butt appealed to the PSB and the Pakistan Olympic Committee (POC) following the Pakistan Amateur Athletics Federation (PAAF) sanction in October.
On Monday, Senator Rashid declared the ban unconstitutional, highlighting the lack of due process as no charge sheet or proper hearing was provided to Butt. He instructed the PAAF to retract all negative communications sent to international bodies and affirmed that Butt could continue coaching Nadeem and representing Pakistan globally.
Why The Ban?
The ban was imposed after Nadeem finished 10th in the World Athletics Championships. Upon his return, the PSB and PAAF demanded a report from Butt explaining Nadeem’s performance. Butt attributed the poor performance to Nadeem’s health issues, as he was still recovering from a calf muscle surgery performed in July. He also noted the PAAF’s lack of involvement in Nadeem’s career over the past year.
However, Butt’s explanation did not satisfy the athletics federation, which accused him of violating the constitution as president of the Punjab athletics body and imposed a life ban.
Despite the ban, the Pakistan Olympic Committee granted special clearance for Butt to accompany Nadeem to Riyadh for the recent Islamic Solidarity Games, where Nadeem won the gold medal in the javelin throw.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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