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Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PSB issues show-cause notice to Netball Federation over ‘misleading' victory claim
The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has issued a show-cause notice to the Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF) for failing to respond within 72 hours regarding what PSB termed a misleading claim about the results of the Asian Youth Netball Championship 2025. PSB Spokesperson Khurram Shahzad said the board had expressed serious reservations over PNF's claim that the Pakistan Youth Girls' Team secured first position in the championship held in Jeonju, South Korea, earlier this month. On July 13, 2025, PSB formally sought a clarification from the federation within three days. However, no response was received within the given timeframe. The state-run and private media on July 4 reported that Pakistan have won the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025, defeating Maldives with a commanding 60-35 score in Jeonju. Pakistan remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, it had further added. Even President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had extended felicitation over the victory. On Friday, PSB escalated the matter by issuing a formal show-cause notice to the federation. The notice stated that the federation's failure to respond reflects a deliberate disregard for official correspondence and accountability, which could be interpreted as an implicit admission. CM greets team for winning Asian Youth Girls Netball Champ The notice further highlighted that on July 9, 2025, PNF had formally claimed in a letter that the team had secured first place, whereas official results show Pakistan finished sixth. Despite being fully aware that PSB's cash reward policy applies only to medal-winning teams, the federation still demanded a financial reward under that policy, the PSB said. The misleading claim was also propagated through TV interviews and public statements by PNF Chairman Mudassar Razzaq Arain, who publicly declared a gold medal victory, thereby intentionally misleading the public and stakeholders. PSB stated in the notice that these actions are in direct violation of Rule 21(1)(vi) of the PSB Constitution and Clause 5(1)(vi) of the Pakistan Code of Ethics and Governance in Sports. These provisions mandate accurate and timely information from federations and prohibit the misuse of authority. The notice added that the false claim was made in pursuit of official recognition and financial reward, which constitutes not only an ethical breach but also a violation of the trust placed in the federation. The PSB has instructed the federation to submit a written explanation within seven days from the date of issuance of the notice, justifying why a fine of one million rupees should not be imposed for this serious misconduct. Failure to respond within the stipulated period will lead to unilateral action, and the matter will be referred to the PSB for further disciplinary and financial measures under the applicable rules, it warned.
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
French culture minister Rachida Dati, ex-auto CEO Carlos Ghosn to stand trial for graft
Find out what's new on ST website and app. French Culture Minister Rachida Dati (left) and former automobile executive Carlos Ghosn are to stand trial for alleged corruption and abuse of power in a case focusing on consulting fees. PARIS - French judges on July 22 ordered that French Culture Minister Rachida Dati and former automobile executive Carlos Ghosn must stand trial for alleged corruption and abuse of power in a case focusing on consulting fees, a judicial source said. The French prosecutor's office for financial crimes (PNF) had requested in November 2024 that Dati, widely expected to run for the post of Paris mayor in March 2026, and former Renault-Nissan boss Ghosn be tried as part of its investigation into corruption. Investigators had been probing the consulting fees Dati once received from the Renault-Nissan auto alliance, which hired her as a consultant after she stepped down as justice minister in 2009 to stand for the European Parliament. Dati has denied irregularities in the fees she received during that time, and Ghosn, who fled from Japan in a box aboard a private jet to Lebanon, has denied allegations of misconduct against him. Representatives for Dati had no immediate comment, while Ghosn's representatives could not immediately be reached for comment. Ghosn, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenships, has not left Lebanon since 2019 because of an Interpol Red Notice issued by Japan. REUTERS
Straits Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
French culture minister Dati, ex-auto CEO Ghosn to stand trial for graft
FILE PHOTO: French Culture Minister Rachida Dati arrives to attend the annual Bastille Day military ceremony on the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France, July 14, 2025. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo PARIS - French judges on Tuesday ordered that French Culture Minister Rachida Dati and former automobile executive Carlos Ghosn must stand trial for alleged corruption and abuse of power in a case focusing on consulting fees, a judicial source said. The French prosecutor's office for financial crimes (PNF) had requested in November 2024 that Dati, widely expected to run for the post of Paris mayor in March 2026, and former Renault-Nissan boss Ghosn be tried as part of its investigation into corruption. Investigators had been probing the consulting fees Dati once received from the Renault-Nissan auto alliance, which hired her as a consultant after she stepped down as justice minister in 2009 to stand for the European Parliament. Dati has denied irregularities in the fees she received during that time, and Ghosn, who fled from Japan in a box aboard a private jet to Lebanon, has denied allegations of misconduct against him. Representatives for Dati had no immediate comment, while Ghosn's representatives could not immediately be reached for comment. Ghosn, who holds French, Lebanese and Brazilian citizenships, has not left Lebanon since 2019 because of an Interpol Red Notice issued by Japan. REUTERS
Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PSB disputes Netball federation's 'first position' claim, demands explanation
Members of Pakistan girls netball team pose with their medals along with PNF Chairman Mudassar Arain after winning the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship in Jeonju-si, South Korea on Friday. PHOTO: PNF Listen to article The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has taken strong exception to what it termed a 'misleading' claim by the Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF) that the national youth girls' team secured first position at the Asian Youth Netball Championship 2025 in South Korea, seeking a written explanation within three days and warning that failure to respond could lead to further action. In an official letter issued on Sunday, the PSB referred to a communication from the PNF dated July 9, 2025, in which the federation claimed a first-place finish. The PSB stated that the wording of the letter appeared to imply a gold medal victory, potentially creating a misleading impression of the team's performance. The Board further noted that PNF Chairman Mudassar Razzaq Arain reinforced this narrative in televised interviews, explicitly referring to a 'gold medal' win and thanking senior government officials for their recognition. A viral clip of one such interview was also cited in the notice. Read More: Pakistan wins Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship by beating Maldives According to the PSB, the claim was subsequently used by the federation to apply for cash rewards under the 2024 Cash Award Policy, prompting official commendation and recognition at government level. The PSB has instructed the Netball Federation to submit a detailed written explanation within three days. It warned that failure to comply would result in the matter being escalated to the relevant authorities for further action. Copies of the notice have been dispatched to the federal ministers concerned, the Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, the Secretary of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, and the President of the Pakistan Olympic Association. In response to the controversy, PNF Chairman Mudassar Razzaq Arain released a video statement in which he said the Sports Board may have misunderstood the situation. He maintained that the President of Asian Netball personally awarded medals to the Pakistani team for securing first position in their respective category, and clarified that the PSB had not extended any financial support for the team's participation in the event. Also Read: Netball victory Arain suggested that the Board may have been offended by one of his earlier remarks, using it as a pretext to issue the explanatory notice. 'We will soon hold a press conference to present all the facts,' he said. Pakistan capped an unbeaten run last week to win the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship, defeating the Maldives 60-35 in the Plate Group final. Shabash 👏🏻 Pakistan 🇵🇰 wins the Asian Youth Girls Netball Championship 2025. A proud moment for the entire nation and yet another great milestone for 🇵🇰women in sports! Special appreciation for staying undefeated throughout the tournament! Very well played! — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 4, 2025 Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also congratulated the team on their victory, terming it a proud moment for the nation and a significant milestone for women in sports. It must be mentioned here that the PSB had disbursed sizeable grants to 22 sports federation earlier this month but chose to snub the PNF for reasons best known to it.
Business Recorder
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PSB seeks explanation over ‘misleading' gold medal claim by Netball Federation
The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has sought a written clarification from the Pakistan Netball Federation (PNF) over what it termed as 'misleading claims' regarding the national youth girls team's standing at the Asian Youth Netball Championship 2025 in Jeonju, South Korea. In an official notice issued by the board, the PSB took exception to a PNF letter dated July 9, in which the federation stated the team had secured 'first position' in the tournament. The PSB said this language implied a gold medal win, which does not reflect the actual results of the competition. Further concerns were raised about statements made by PNF Chairman Mudassar Razzaq Arain in televised interviews, where he explicitly referred to a 'gold medal' achievement and thanked government officials for their congratulatory messages. A video clip of one such interview, widely circulated on social media, was cited by the board as contributing to a misleading narrative. According to the PSB, the federation's assertion was also used to apply for financial rewards under the government's 2024 Cash Award Policy — an initiative designed to recognize genuine international sporting achievements. The board cautioned that any misrepresentation of results could undermine the integrity of the policy and future disbursements. The PSB has directed the PNF to submit a detailed written response within three days. Failure to comply, the board warned, could result in the matter being escalated to higher authorities for further action. Copies of the notice have been forwarded to the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination, the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, the Pakistan Olympic Association, and other relevant stakeholders.
