20 March 2004	Saturday	28 Muharram 1425

ISLAMABAD, March 19: Bangladesh and Bhutan will be the first contingents, excluding Afghanistan, to arrive here next week to compete in the 9th SAF Games beginning on March 29.

A 56-member first batch of the Bangladeshi contingent will land in Karachi on Monday before reaching Islamabad the following morning, according to a message received by the organisers.

A 147-strong Afghan contingent is already in Pakistan for training with the host country's contingent for the SAF Games which will run till April 7, featuring competitions in 15 disciplines amongst seven Saarc countries plus Afghanistan.

The Bhutan contingent, meanwhile, is expected to arrive here on Thursday to participate in the 9th SAF Games being held for the second time in Islamabad, it was officially stated. -APP