ISLAMABAD, Oct 22: Pakistan is likely to compete in 11 of the 15 disciplines to feature during the first-ever Islamic Solidarity Games scheduled to be held in four cities across Saudi Arabia from April 8 to 20 next year.
Pakistan will possibly take part in the disciplines of athletics, swimming, tennis, table tennis, weightlifting, football, volleyball, handball, taekwondo, karate and basketball with a 150-strong contingent of athletes and officials, it was officially learnt from POA on Friday.
The disciplines Pakistan may miss are fencing, "goal ball", equestrian sports and five-a-side football. The opening and closing ceremonies will take place at Makkah Mukarramah while this holy city plus Madina Munawwara, Jeddah and Taif will be the host cities for competitions.
These decisions were taken at the General Assembly meeting of Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) which will hold its first-ever multi-sports mega event though it had been conducting a few courses and training programmes hitherto.
Chairman of ISSF, Prince Sultan Bin Fahad Abdul Aziz also agreed to the request of Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) to extend "free hospitality" to all athletes and officials of the participating countries for 20 days as against US$40 per person a day fixed earlier.
In addition, four athletes and one official will be provided free air-ticket by the Organising Committee, it was officially learnt. The training of Pakistani contingent for this event will get into full swing after Eid. -APP
