April 1, 2003	Tuesday	Muharram 28, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, March 31: The Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) is seeking clearance from the government to send a team to New Delhi for this month’s 5th SAARC Championship.

Although the PGF is quite hopeful they would get the go-ahead for the April 18-21 championship, the head of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Brig Saulat Abbas thinks otherwise.

“I personally feel that it would be difficult at this point of time,” he said while adding that the case had been dispatched to the sports ministry.

Iftikhar Ahmed Khan, the PGF secretary told Dawn that although he was confident that the four-man team would be given the green signal keeping in view the government’s policy of not mixing sports with politics, the Indians might create problems.

“Last time they refused to grant us visas and informed us just the day before the start of the championship that was also held in India,” he said.

“We have however sent the passport details of the team members to the tournament organisers.”

The Pakistan squad comprises Shahid Javed Khan, Waqas Ahmed and Tariq Mahmood with Alam Sethi the manager.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s young golfers are heading for Jakarta for the Asia Pacific Junior Championship that runs between April 29 and May 2.

The party of four that has Umair Javed, Daniyal Jahangir, Inamullah Abdullah and Wamiq Shakil will be leaving on April 27.

Umair and Daniyal will be competing in Class A which is for players aged 15 to 17 while Inam and Wamiq will feature in Class B that is for golfers of ages 13 to 14.