Sports

Pakistan ‘concerned’ over athletes’ village

POA asks for alternate accommodation for the Pakistan contingent at the Commonwealth Games.

Express September 28, 2010

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Arif Hasan has expressed reservations at the condition of the athletes’ village and asked for an alternate accommodation to be made available to the Pakistan contingent for the Commonwealth Games.

Hasan said that while Pakistan got the security clearance from the Deputy Inspector General of Islamabad Ahmad Mukaram, it was concerned about the village’s condition after a snake was found in one of the rooms as well as about hygiene and sanitation.

“We want the Commonwealth Games Federation to ensure that the athletes’ village is in good condition. Athletes cannot stay at a substandard place.

“The contingent is leaving tomorrow. So there’s not much time. If they can’t sort it out, then they should arrange for us to stay somewhere else like they have done with other teams.”

Hasan however, added that there were no doubts over Pakistan’s participation and the contingent will leave as planned.

“I have maintained this throughout that Pakistan will participate. We have the No Objection Certificates from the Pakistan Sports Board and the interior ministry.”

Shooting squad to leave on October 2

A seven-member shooting team for the Games will leave for New Delhi on October 2, according to the National Rifle Association of Pakistan (NRAP). Amin Karamat and Ahmed Sultan were named as skeeters while Aamir Iqbal will be the only one representing Pakistan in the double trap event. Irshad Ali, Mustaqeem Shah, Kaleemullah and woman shooter Tazeem Akhtar will participate in the pistol event.

“Pakistan will manage to bring a few medals home,” NRAP Secretary Lodhi told The Express Tribune. “There are 35 events that seven shooters will participate in and we have high hopes from Ali, who won a silver medal for Pakistan in 2006 Commonwealth Games, Australia.”

This is also the first time that Pakistan will send a female shooter for the Commonwealth Games.

The squad attended a two-month training camp in Jhelum for the Games, under coach Aamir Butt. The shooting event will be held from October 9 till 13 in New Delhi.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2010.

COMMENTS (9)

d c bhardwaj | 14 years ago | Reply @Hamood.....Friend no comments on half nacked women in your but ask any athelete who is staying in games village will say faceliteis here are much better them Malborne. About CHINA we are are only one who is competing with them as of new. We are second fastest growing economy and forth largest in the WORLD. Hopeful very soon we will leave behing China, afterall we are a raising and strong democresy.

Hamood | 14 years ago | Reply @Anoop, Pakistan never want to host any of the above. Can you imagine female athletes running half naked in the streets, not gonna happen. India wanted to compete with Beijing and failed miserably. Lets stick to the subject here.

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Anoop | 14 years ago | Reply When Pakistan stops becoming a graveyard for incoming sportstars and International teams start arriving it can then host the CWG or Asian or the Afro-Asian or the Olympic Games. Then we'll see who is better organized. Unless that happens lets not get overboard.

ADE | 14 years ago | Reply @Ammar...it's not about who talks and who doesn't....quite frankly, no person would want to live in a giant toilet village which world media has eloquently exposed. I'm sorry but Indian standards don't suit anyone

Tilsim | 14 years ago | Reply I think as Pakistanis we should not gloat at Delhi's troubles over poor accomodation. Let's remember, games are held to generate goodwill not rancour. I hope they are able to sort it out in time and I wish them luck with it.

Ammar | 14 years ago | Reply Funny. Look who's talking...

Sengathir | 14 years ago | Reply If Sub-continent people are concerned above village hygienic standards, it is definitely filthy... Entire India is marred by corruption, you get something out of a project. But only in Delhi, you get nothing output, but at a huge cost..

Hussnain | 14 years ago | Reply This one is Priceless :-D

Vidyut Kale | 14 years ago | Reply Pakistan is the only country to ask to be provided hotel accommodation. Other teams stayed in hotels or delayed arrivals till things were satisfactory. As an Indian, I invite Pakistan into our country and explain that we are already running over budget. Thus, it is not likely that they will be offered hotel accommodation while the rest of the world is not and offering it to whoever wants it is going to be phenomenally expensive. As an Indian, I had imagined that living standards among the Pakistani sports stars wouldn't be all that different from India. I was obviously mistaken. I imagine that if so many countries are able to adjust their comforts for the sake of sport for a few days, the accommodation can't be all that ghastly either - I don't know. I haven't been there. It is still another day for the teams to arrive and things are improving all the time. I hope that things will improve enough to be endurable for the fortnight or so at the most that it will take.

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