May 11, 2003	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 8, 1424

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LAHORE, May 10: Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) is ready to take steps to bring the ninth SAF Games back to Pakistan, subject to official government advice.

This was stated by POA secretary, Muhammad Lateef Butt, when contacted  by  Dawn, to  comment on  the  reported  statement  of President  of  Pakistan, Gen Pervez Musharraf, in which he was quoted to have expressed his desire of hosting the SAF Games.

The twice postponed games has been shifted to Sri Lanka  from Pakistan after various SAF member countries were reluctant to visit Pakistan due to security reservations.

“POA  will go all out to get the games back to Pakistan,  but we need formal advice from the government”, he said.

POA  secretary, however, avoided to comment about any  chances of success of returning the games back to Pakistan.

“At  this  stage,  I can’t say anything. After  receiving the go-ahead , POA will contact all countries and will make all efforts  to  convince  the  respective   national   Olympic associations”,he said.

When asked if POA was the competent body to undertake this responsiblity or the SAF Games Organising Committee, the secretary explained that the government can take the initiative through organising committee and if they fail POA was at their call.

When  asked to comment on the president’s remarks  about  the dismal  performances of the national sports federations,  POA  and Pakistan Sports Board, the secretary said that he had all respect for the president and wished the president would have listened to the POA and federations’ officials.

Latif claimed  that it was due to the persistent lobbying of the POA that squash had been included in the Asian Games.

He said that only those countries could promote the  standard of  sports  where  government, national  sports  federations  and national Olympic committee were cooperating with each other.