National Beach Games: Inaugural event awaiting funds since Feb

Dates postponed due to soaring temperatures in Karachi

KARACHI: The first edition of the National Beach Games, which was supposed to be held in February, is still on hold due to Sindh Chief Minister’s approval of the summary of the event and consequently the allocation of required funds.

Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) secretary Ahmed Ali Rajput told The Express Tribune that the organising committee had sent a summary of Rs20 million to be spent on the Games but they have yet to hear back on the matter.

“We planned for the tournament to be held in mid-February as soon as our players returned from the South Asian Games in India, as it was the best time to hold beach games in pleasant weather,” said Rajput.

“But unfortunately, the required funds were not released and we had to postpone the Games.”

The official added that even if they do receive the funds now, they would be unable to hold the Games due to the soaring temperatures in Karachi. “We’re now looking at dates after Ramazan in July. These games will be a preparatory event for the 5th Asian Beach Games to be held in September-October in Vietnam.”

Rajput clarified that the Pakistan Olympic Association did allot some amount to the SOA for organising the event, but it was hardly enough. “This event requires huge investment, so we had to take the government’s help,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2016.

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