ISLAMABAD, March 15: Pakistani athletes and coaches, under training here for the 9th SAF Games, on Monday expressed satisfaction over the arrangements for their stay and camp training.

They were also optimistic about wining maximum number of gold medals in 32 athletic events of the SAF Games. In separate interviews, the players expressed their determination to put up a tough fight in each of the 32 events, 19 for men and 13 for women, which will figure in the SAF Games.

Coach of the national athletic team Ch. Muhammad Sadique while giving details said that the real contestants of the 9th SAF Games are Pakistan and India. "Keeping in view the high morale and tempo of the athletes we hope that a good number of medals will be won by Pakistan," he said.

The events to be competed are:100, 200, 400, 800, 1500, 3000 and 5000 meters race, 110 metres hurdles, 400, 4x100 metres and 4x400 meters relay races, 440 metres hurdles race, high jump, long jump, shot put, discus throw, hammer throw, javelin throw, marathon (42.195 KM) race.

This time pole vault and 10,000 metre race are not included in the 9th SAF Games, while these two disciplines were contested in the 1989 SAF Games. -APP