Pakistan ‘concerned’ over athletes’ village
POA asks for alternate accommodation for the Pakistan contingent at the Commonwealth Games.
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 28th, 2010.
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 28th, 2010.