Muhammad Inam Butt, a prominent figure in Pakistani wrestling, has voluntarily resigned from his roles as secretary of the Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) and chairman of the Pakistan Olympic Association's (POA) Athletes Commission. This decision comes in light of an ongoing doping case, with Butt emphasizing the need for transparency and fairness in the sport.
On Wednesday, Butt announced his resignation, stating that he had communicated his decision to the PWF president and relevant POA officials. He expressed that stepping down was necessary to ensure that the integrity of Pakistan wrestling and its athletes remains intact during this challenging period. "Considering the current situation, I have decided to voluntarily step down from the positions of PWF Secretary General and POA Athletes Commission," Butt remarked, underscoring the importance of impartiality in the face of scrutiny.
In addition to resigning from his administrative roles, Butt has also withdrawn from his coaching position for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, where he was set to guide the wrestling team. The Asian Games are scheduled to commence on September 19, and with Butt's absence, the Pakistani delegation will now have only one official accompanying the wrestling team. Arshad Sattar, who was initially appointed as the team manager, will step into the coaching role during this time.
The decision to resign and withdraw from the Asian Games reflects Butt's commitment to addressing the doping allegations head-on. A ruling from the relevant anti-doping authorities and the world governing body, United World Wrestling (UWW), is anticipated shortly, which will determine the outcome of his case. Until the matter is resolved, Butt has chosen to distance himself from all wrestling-related activities.
Despite the upheaval, the national wrestling team is preparing for the Asian Games, with four athletes set to compete: Muhammad Abdullah in the 65kg category, Inayatullah at 74kg, Nouman Zaka in the 86kg class, and Muhammad Gulzar at 97kg. The team's training camp is currently underway in Islamabad, led by coaches Usman Shahid and Azhar Hussain.
The Pakistani wrestling team is scheduled to depart for Japan on September 27, with competitions commencing on October 3. As the team gears up for this prestigious event, the focus will be on ensuring that the athletes can perform at their best amid the backdrop of administrative changes and the ongoing doping investigation.
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