Pakistan to leave today for CW Games

A 54-member Pakistan contingent leaves today for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

LAHORE: A 54-member Pakistan contingent will leave today for the Commonwealth Games, aiming for an improved show at the event that starts from October 3. The Games, being staged in New Delhi amid concerns about security and hygiene, will see Pakistan compete in eight events. However, after a three-member delegation went to India to assess the concerns and gave the security clearance, the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Arif Hasan said that the situation was satisfactory.

“I admit the conditions weren’t that good but things have improved and now they are nearly fine,” Hasan told reporters at Cycling Velodrome. “We have already asked the three-member administrative party to signoff the Delegate Registration Meeting (DRM) and take control of all the facilities and accommodation in the athletes’ village.”

Earlier, Pakistan expressed reservation on the village’s condition after hygiene and sanitation issues caused concerns among the athletes. Hasan however, said that Pakistan would participate in the event but after the village’s condition was improved.

“According to the latest update from India, the conditions have finally improved and our contingent will not face any difficulty residing there.”

A total of 75 athletes are participating in the Commonwealth Games from Pakistan in eight disciplines including hockey, tennis, boxing, weightlifting, wrestling, shooting, squash and Paralympics. “A total of 54-members, including officials will leave today while the shooting team and remaining squad will head off on October 2,” said Hasan.

Gracious response from Pakistan

Hasan added that though there have been differences with India over certain issues, Pakistan supported its neighbours while athletes kept pulling out and doubts were raised over New Delhi’s ability to host the Games.

“There were a lot of controversies and even though they [India] failed to meet deadlines, we supported India for the development of sport. I hope everything is okay since the Games have to go on.”

Pakistan dim prospect in CWG

However, Hasan expressed disappointment over Pakistan hockey coach Michel van Den Heuvel’s prediction that the country had little chance of bagging a gold medal at the Games. “We are mainly banking on tennis star Aisamul Haq Qureshi, weightlifter Shujauddin Malik and hockey to earn us gold medals at the event but if Heuvel thinks that its not possible, it will be disappointing and unfortunate.

“But we still have bright expectation from Qureshi and Malik. They have shown great commitment in the past few months and I also expect good result from the shooting team as well,” added Hasan.

Event to improve sport in Pakistan

The POA chief also felt that Pakistan’s participation in the event will help revive sport in the country. “The country is experiencing the worst decline in sport and this upcoming event is very important for us,” said Hasan. “We have prepared well and hopefully the athletes will return with a maximum number of medals.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2010.