Sports for peace: Peshawar to host international wrestling event

10 wrestlers from India, Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to descend on K-P capital in December.

PESHAWAR: India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Iran and Sri Lanka have confirmed their participation in the upcoming Bacha Khan International Peace Wrestling Championship due to start in Peshawar from December 6-9, 2012.

Talking to APP, President Pakistan Wrestling Federation and Provincial Minister for Sports Syed Aqil Shah disclosed that as desired by Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ameer Haider Khan Hoti, the patron of the tournament, all appropriate measures would be taken for hosting an international event.

Expressing joy over positive reports by a three-member Japanese delegation who visited Peshawar recently to inspect security arrangements, Shah said that 10 wrestlers will reach Peshawar on December 5. They will meet President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari on the same day.

Explaining about "Wrestling for Peace", the sports minister said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Corporation and Japan Wrestling Federation will jointly organise the event from December 6, 2012, at Qayyum Sports Complex. Entry to the event will be free at the 20,000 capacity venue.

Detailing security arrangements for the international event, Shah said stringent security arrangements would be made. He added that request letters have also been sent to all concerned officials including the Secretary Interior, Secretary Foreign and Secretary Home and Tribal Affairs, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to facilitate the players.

“We have also sent a request to all the Pakistani embassies in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran and counsel general in Afghanistan to facilitate the wrestlers with all visa affairs," Shah added.

He said the aim and objective of the event is to show the world that we are a peace and sports loving country.