Punjab Games delayed for the third time

‘Unavoidable circumstances’ force 71st Punjab Games to be moved to December after it was due to start today.

LAHORE: The 71st Punjab Games – due to start tomorrow – have been delayed for a third time and will now take place in December.

The Games have been struggling to be staged this year, postponed twice already this year due to concerns over security and the devastating floods. Despite the claims, The Express Tribune understands the event was postponed this time due to a lack of government resources.

According to the revised programme, the event will take place from December 1.

“Due to unavoidable circumstances, the Punjab Olympic Association has decided to hold the Punjab Games from December 1,” said the association’s general-secretary Idris Haider Khawaja. “All the contingents were due to arrive from various cities today but they have now been stopped.”

The event will feature 18 events for men, one event short from what was planned when the Punjab Games were to be held from September 18, and eight events for women.

The zones in the Games include Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi,Sargodha, Fais-alabad,Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan. A total of 23 venues, including All Punjab Sports Board accredited complexes as well as various schools and colleges, have been considered for the event in Lahore.

The Games have been held for over seven decades and have evolved into a well-known event. But it has been facing issues, primarily related to security that showcases more than a thousand athletes.

The third Inter School and College Games, were also in line to be postponed after the Punjab Games were rescheduled, but will still take place from November 1.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2010.