The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) has banned Salman Butt, coach of Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem for gross violations of the AFP Constitution.
The coach was found involved in unconstitutional and non-transparent activities, particularly related to the illegal elections of the Punjab Athletics Association (PAA).
“After careful review and deliberation, the Executive Committee imposed a lifetime ban on Salman Butt, former office bearer of the Punjab Athletics Association (PAA), for gross violations of the AFP Constitution, on which he himself is a signatory,” the press release stated.
Habib Shah, former secretary of the Punjab Athletics Association, has also been banned for 10 years.
Salman Iqbal Butt and Shah scheduled the Punjab Athletics Association elections on August 29, which the AFP would go on to nullify. The federation argued that the process contravened its constitutional provision and procedural rules.
One day before polls, on August 30, the AFP had sent a formal letter to the Punjab body requesting it to strictly adhere to proper legal procedures for conducting its elections. The polls nevertheless proceeded, and the federation responded by establishing an inquiry committee to examine the issue.
The committee reportedly summoned both Salman Iqbal Butt and Syed Habib Shah to present their defence. However, neither appeared before the panel. After reviewing the available records, the committee submitted its findings to the AFP Executive Committee, recommending strict action.
In September, Nadeem eliminated after the fourth round of throws at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo.
