ISLAMABAD, March 31: As many as 45 players will be contesting in eight-category weightlifting competition in the 9th SAF games as the meeting of managers finalized entries and draws on Wednesday.

Names of eight players each from Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka and five from Bangladesh have been finalized for the contest starting from Thursday.

Giving details of the meeting, Muzaffar Qureshi, secretary Pakistan Weightlifting Federation said that final entries were prepared in the managers' meeting besides deciding other modalities.

"Every day competitions for two body weight categories will be held and no new player will be entered into list after today (Wednesday)," he said. Competitions for 56 kgs and 62 kgs weight categories will be held on Thursday with 69 and 77 kgs on Friday, 85 and 94 kgs on Saturday and 105 and +105 kgs body weight category competitions to be held on Sunday.

Qureshi said, it has been decided to weigh the players two hours before the competition starts and as soon as the competition ends the winning players would be tested for drug use. -APP