Contingent approved for Solidarity Games

Athletes, officials prepare for event in Indonesia.

KARACHI:

A 96-member Pakistan contingent has been finalised for attending the 3rd Islamic Solidarity Games that are scheduled to be held from September 22 to October 2 in Riau, Indonesia.

It has been learnt that a total of 66 athletes will take part in the Games; 52 male athletes and 14 women. Additionally, 30 officials will accompany the participants.

The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) had sent a letter – available to The Express Tribune – to Joint Secretary Inter Provincial Coordination Syed Muhammad Javed, to confirm its participation.

The letter states that the number of members has been confirmed after receiving approval from the organising committee of the games.

The athletes will be competing in nine disciplines including volleyball, basketball, athletics, karate, swimming, tennis, taekwondo, badminton and wushu.

It is the first challenge for the POA as it will be the first international competition for them after coming into formation where Major General (retd) Muhammad Akram Sahi was selected as President and Justice (retd) Khwaja Farooq Saeed as secretary.

“Sahi has directed all the sports disciplines to select their best candidates for the Islamic Solidarity Games,” said a POA official.

“He has made it clear that Pakistan should end up with a decent medal table as there is no space for complacency. The POA has also emphasised on tougher training camps going into the competition so that every athlete is fit enough to fight for titles.”

Wushu has been included for the games on the special request of the POA.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2013.

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