Asian Games camps from Sep. 12, Pakistan to compete in 21 games

ISLAMABAD: The training camps will begin across the country on September 12 to prepare the 200-strong Pakistani contingent for the 15th Asian Games in which the country will compete in 21 games.

These details were thrashed out at a meeting of concerned Honorary Secretaries of the National Sports Federations held here Friday under the chairmanship of Lt. Col. (Retd) Salahuddin, Director General, Pakistan Sports Board.

The meeting discussed the modalities for the preparation and participation in the 15th Asian Games being held December 1-15 at Doha, Qatar.

Lt.Col (Retd) Muhammad Yahya, Associate Secretary General, POA and other Secretaries of the Federations also attended the meeting.

The Director General, PSB, lauded the performance of sportspersons in the 10th South Asian Games (August 18-28) in which finished runners-up on the medals table with 43 gold, as many silver and 72 bronze medals (total 158 medals).

It was decided that national training camps in Athletics, Bodybuilding, Boxing, Billiards & Snooker, Cycling, Football, Golf, Judo, Kabaddi, Karate, Rowing, Sailing, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Tennis, Teakwondo, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Wushu will commence from September 12 at Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.

It was also decided that teams will be sent abroad for training-cum-competition tours. The concerned Federations will submit proper proposals for Government clearance. The expenditure in this regard will be borne by the Pakistan Sports Trust.

The Director General, Pakistan Sports Board, informed the house that Pakistan contingent comprising approximately 200 members will participate in the Asian Games.

The Organizing Committee is providing free boarding and lodging facilities to the participating nations first time in the history of this mega event.

The contingent will depart in different groups depending upon the availability of flights. As per the directions from Organizing Committee of Asian Games, the entire contingent will not be able to take part in the opening and closing ceremonies because of different arrival and departure schedules.