ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: The Higher Education Commission will organize the first Pakistan universities games from February 9 to 15, said an official statement.

On behalf of Pakistan University Sports Board, the HEC has invited nominations from all the public and private sector universities of the country.

More than 60 universities have confirmed their participation and it is hoped that a big assembly of around 3500 students and sports officials would participate in this week-long extravaganza of universities sports.

HEC being the major sponsor of these games has made all efforts to make this gigantic event a success. The inaugural ceremony of these universities sports would be held at Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad on Monday February 9, 2004.

Prof Attaur Rahman, Federal Minister for Science & Technology and Chairman, Higher Education Commission will be the Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony.

The 16 events of these University games would be held at Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad, Bahria University, Islamabad, Army Sports Stadium, Rawalpindi and Pindi Squash Complex, Rawalpindi.

More than 2300 male students will participate in Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Football, Hockey, Squash, Table Tennis, Tennis and Volley Ball while more than 1100 female students would participate in Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Table Tennis, Tennis and Volley Ball.

All the teams participating in this big event have been selected by the universities themselves while the teams of Football, Hockey, Cricket, Volley Ball and Basketball were selected on zonal basis.

All the teams have already reached Islamabad and are participating in the rehearsals at Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad. The Pakistan Universities Sports Board of HEC has borrowed the services of technical officials, coaches, referees and empires from all the leading sports federations of Pakistan.