Pak real test in 10th SAF Games Soccer in Colombo, says Faisal

PESHAWAR—President Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Makhdoom Faisal Saleh Hayat has said that Pakistan team real test will be of retaining the title of the 10th South Asian Games to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka next year.
Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, who is also Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas, emphasized the management of the team and other members of the PFF general council during his meeting to accelerate their efforts to bring back the laurels, the team had won last year.
PFF Chief expressed the hope that although it would be the most significant test for the team next year yet Pakistani players have the capability to retain the title, PFF chief was quoted in a media released issued here Friday.
He said that Pakistan has retained the title of SAF Games at Colombo in 1991 after 1989 triumph and PFF want to repeat the same history.
Sri Lankan capital of Colombo has been named as host for the 10th South Asian Games 2006. The Games, originally scheduled to be held in August 2005, were postponed due to the destructive effects of tsunami waves in South Asia.
Pakistan will also take part in inaugural AFC Challenge Cup next year, the release added. Asian Football Confederation (AFC) plans to launch a new competition in efforts to develop the game in the continent’s ‘emerging’ football nations.
“We also want to prepare a formidable National team for newly-born event,” said Faisal Hayat.
Earlier, the South Asia Games were known as South Asian Federation (SAF) Games. The South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC) changed the name SAF Games to South Asia Games on 1 April 2004. The 300-day official countdown to the South Asian version of the Olympic Games began on June 23 with a colourful launching ceremony at the Sugathadasa Stadium.
The seven SAARC members — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka — and new entrant to the Games Afghanistan will take part in the Games.
The 10th edition of the South Asian Games, from April 18-28, 2006, is fielding record 180 events in 19 disciplines with cycling and archery making debut and wushu and judo getting revived.
The other 15 disciplines are athletics, rowing, badminton, boxing, football, kabaddi, taekwondo, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, karate, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling. There will be 126 gold medals in men’s events, 52 in women’s and two in mixed category.

—PR