October 19, 2002	Saturday	Sha'aban 12, 1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

ISLAMABAD, Oct 18: Re-launching of the SAF Games preparations set for Nov 2 has been rescheduled for January so that it coincides with the Saarc Summit, chairman of the Games organising committee, Lt Gen Syed Arif Hasan told Dawn Friday.

“The November date could clash with the political changeover of administration in the country, therefore I think it would be appropriate if we hold the event in January alongside the Saarc Summit in Islamabad,” Arif said. “Although January would be cold, yet we have decided to go ahead and organise the show then.”

The Jinnah Stadium will stage the ceremonies ahead of the Games due to run between March 29 and April 7 next year.

SAF Games had to be postponed twice, first because of America’s War on Terror following the Sept 11 events and then again when India began troops build-up on the borders with Pakistan, as tension between the nuclear rivals grew over the disputed Kashmir region.

However now with the tension having eased and both countries announcing withdrawal of their troops from the borders, Arif said he was certain that India would take part in the Games.

There had been doubts earlier that India may boycott the Games, although the regional event was put back a second time not because of that threat. Rather it was done because it was felt that the atmosphere was not conducive.

The SAF Games Organising Committee (SGOC) it is understood, has been making elaborate arrangements for the re-launch and in this regard a host of interesting events are being planned.

Meanwhile, Arif also spoke of the boxing team that bagged an amazing six medals out of Pakistan’s total of 13 at this month’s Asian Games in Busan with Meherullah winning the only gold in the 57kg category.

Arif said that he had spoken to Prof Anwar Chowdhry, the head of the Pakistan Amateur Boxing Federation (PABF) to find out what the SGOC could do to promote the sport.

“He had several ideas including building of infrastructure and we will be working closely to see how feasible they all are.”

The SGOC, under the general’s dynamic leadership has, been generously supporting the boxing team, as well as others, in the run-up to the Games.

And already results are quite encouraging with the boxers repaying in the shape of medals, the six won at the Asiad follow the gold that Haider Ali claimed at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester earlier this year.

Thanks to Arif Hasan and to Prof Anwar Chowdhry, boxing is on the up as the other two fancied sports, cricket and hockey grope in the dark.