Sindh Games on track for December 2 start
Organisers ignore protests to postpone event.
KARACHI:
Sindh Games’ organising secretary and Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) Secretary Ahmed Ali Rajput has confirmed that the event will go ahead as per schedule despite four out of 40 affiliated units protesting against it.
The games are scheduled to start from December 2 in Hyderabad. Apart from the protest against the scheduling, the Pakistan Netball Federation Secretary Mudassair Arain said that the SOA had reduced the number of technical officials which will result in the matches to be held without time-keepers and scorers.
However, Rajput said that despite the lack of funds, the SOA will be featuring 34 male and 16 female events with 2,000 athletes from the province and minor changes were required to accommodate every discipline.
“There are just four associations that are unhappy,” Rajput told The Express Tribune. “We have included their events and the athletes will get the opportunity to take part. They are creating issues over the number of technical staff. We have enough people to look after the matches.”
While, the Sindh Handball Association said that the teams will not have enough time to prepare for the event, Rajput said that the Sindh Games are taking place two weeks before the National Games, therefore the players should have trained with their departments for the big event.
“It is the best time for the provincial athletes to showcase their talent. We will shortlist the best players who will get the chance to represent Sindh in the National Games later. Sindh Games will be providing a platform for these athletes and serve as provincial trials before the National Games.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2012.
Sindh Games’ organising secretary and Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) Secretary Ahmed Ali Rajput has confirmed that the event will go ahead as per schedule despite four out of 40 affiliated units protesting against it.
The games are scheduled to start from December 2 in Hyderabad. Apart from the protest against the scheduling, the Pakistan Netball Federation Secretary Mudassair Arain said that the SOA had reduced the number of technical officials which will result in the matches to be held without time-keepers and scorers.
However, Rajput said that despite the lack of funds, the SOA will be featuring 34 male and 16 female events with 2,000 athletes from the province and minor changes were required to accommodate every discipline.
“There are just four associations that are unhappy,” Rajput told The Express Tribune. “We have included their events and the athletes will get the opportunity to take part. They are creating issues over the number of technical staff. We have enough people to look after the matches.”
While, the Sindh Handball Association said that the teams will not have enough time to prepare for the event, Rajput said that the Sindh Games are taking place two weeks before the National Games, therefore the players should have trained with their departments for the big event.
“It is the best time for the provincial athletes to showcase their talent. We will shortlist the best players who will get the chance to represent Sindh in the National Games later. Sindh Games will be providing a platform for these athletes and serve as provincial trials before the National Games.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2012.