Pakistan contingent finalised for SA Games

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) has approved 305-member Pakistan contingent for the 13th South Asian Games and have sent the summary for Prime Minister’s approval.Akbar Durrani, Secretary IPC has confirmed to The News that 305-member contingent had been approved by the Ministry Monday. “Since the Prime Minister is the final authority, the summary has been sent for his approval. We now are waiting for PM approval, we cannot at this point of time are in a position to give go ahead.”Secretary IPC said that in all probabilities, by Thursday the Ministry would be in a position to share the details on the expected Pakistan contingent for the 33rd edition of the Games.“We hope to get the summary back from the PM Office by Thursday after which we would be in a position to share the details. What I can say at this point of time is that the Ministry has approved 305-member contingent for the Games starting in Nepal from December 1.”The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) wanted government to financially support 423-member for the Games believing that any cut in numbers would hurt Pakistan chances of winning more medals at the Games. The Ministry has decided to back only 305 members considering the financial constraints. One hope the PM would give go ahead to finalised contingent and no further cuts are to be made on the strength.Meanwhile, the POA was in final stages of sending by-name entries of the 423-member contingent that it had finalized for the Games after getting couple of days extension from the organizers in Nepal.It is not yet clear that what would be the fate of remaining 118-member who would not get the government financial support for the Games.It is not yet clear whether federations would try to arrange their trip to Nepal and are ready to pay their daily allowances or would prefer applying cut on the already finalized squads.The general impression is that each and every individual travelling to Nepal will cost around half a million rupees that include traveling expenses, boarding/lodging and dailies.

from The News International - Sports https://ift.tt/2puAFFb