POA all set to take part in 12th South Asian Games in India
LAHORE: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) is all set to take part in the South Asian Games to be held in India next month. A four-member Indian delegation visited Pakistan last week to ensure Pakistan’s participation in the mega event of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries. During its stay in Pakistan, the Indian delegation met Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada in Islamabad and invited him at the opening ceremony of 12th South Asian Games, scheduled to be held at Guawati and Shillong from February 5 to 16. The delegation was led by Member Indian Parliament Bhubaneswar Kalita while others members were Deputy High Commissioner of India JP Singh, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Secretary General Rajeev Mehta, Joint Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Government of India Onkara Kedia and Secretary to Government of India Ministry of Skills Development, Entrepreneurship, Youth Affairs and Sports AK Patro. Mian Riaz cordially accepted the Indian invitation but also clarified that Pakistan contingent’s participation in the South Asian Games was subject to approval of the Federal Government.
Addressing a joint press conference with POA President Lt Gen (r) Syed Arif Hasan in Lahore, Indian Olympic Association Secretary General Rajeev Mehta said Pakistan had supported India’s bid to host the Commonwealth Games in 2010, and India was thankful to Pakistan. “We’re ready to host the South Asian Games as all the facilities have been provided in Guwahati and Shillong to organise them in a befitting manner,” Rajeev Mehta said. He assured that foolproof security would be provided to the Pakistan contingent. He said Pakistan’s participation would improve the bond between the two neighbouring countries, although there were a few minor nature of issues, yet they could be resolved through dialogues. When asked that India hadn’t been visiting Pakistan for the revival of sporting ties between the two countries while a proposed cricket series at a neutral venue also didn’t take off, Rajeev Mehta replied: “Cricket isn’t in IOA’s domain.” He added BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur belonged to Himachal Pradesh, the state where the South Asian Games will be held, but cricket was not part of the event. POA chief Arif said it had been agreed that a delegation from Pakistan would visit the two cities of the South Asian Games to examine the security arrangements. “Although Pakistan has three different routes to reach Guwahati and Shillong, the final one will be decided later and preferably the contingent will go by air,” Arif added.
Indian delegation dispels security concerns: The Indian delegation presented a softer image of Guwahati and Shillong which will host the eight-nation biennial spectacle. The delegation said that Guwahati and Shillong were the most liberal and peaceful places in India and Pakistan’s contingent would enjoy its stay there. “If there is unrest in other parts of India, these two places still remain peaceful,” said the Indian delegation. Shillong is the capital and hill station of Meghalaya, also known as ‘The Abode of Clouds’, one of the smallest states in India. Guwahati is the largest city of Assam, a major port city and one of the fastest growing cities in India. A 440-member Pakistan contingent will travel to India to compete in 20 sports disciplines. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already advised the Pakistan Sports Board and the POA to ensure the participation of this large contingent. Bangladesh held the previous edition in Dhaka in 2010. The next event was scheduled to be hosted by India in 2012, but was postponed several times due to various reasons.
