‘Other sports need attention as well’

Miandad commences torch relay as National Games begin in Islamabad.

KARACHI: Surrounded by controversy but armed by the presence of sporting legends, the National Games kicked off yesterday at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.

The ongoing tussle between the Pakistan Olympic Association and the Pakistan Sports Board has attracted attention all this while but with the commencement of the National Games, it was hoped that sports would gain at least some limelight.

Legendary cricketer Javed Miandad began the torch relay, starting from Faisal Mosque, before handing it over to other sports personalities including squash great Qamar Zaman, former Olympian and Pakistan Hockey Federation President Qasim Zia among other athletes.



However, there were still a few big names missing among the original torch bearers as former world champion Jansher Khan was unable to attend.

Miandad ‘honoured’

The former Pakistan captain said that he was proud to be given the honour.

“It feels great to be given the honour of being the first torch bearer for these Games,” the Pakistan Cricket Board director general told reporters. “Sports can go a long way in getting rid of terrorism and build a soft image of Pakistan which is a need of the hour. Such competitions are very important because athletes from other sports get some much-needed attention.

“Sports other than cricket are extremely important as well.”

Meanwhile, the organisers had to be content in calling the event just the National Games after the Lahore High Court ordered against using ‘32^nd’ in the name.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 29^th, 2013.

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