ISLAMABAD, March 28: Pakistan would host Saarc International golf tournament and Ministry of Sports and Culture would bear half the expenditure, Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Muhammad Ajmal Khan said on Sunday.

Such kind of international events would not only promote golf in Saarc countries but would also increase people to people contacts, he said.

The minister said the government would utilise all possible means for promotion of golf in the country.

He said Pakistan had some very talented players in golf who could earn name for the country but unfortunately they were not getting enough opportunities.

There was lack of sponsorship for sports except for some leading games, he said and urged big companies to come forward and join hands with the government for promotion of sports in the country.

Ajmal said he would raise the issue of inclusion of golf in the next upcoming Islamic Solidarity Games when he would travel to Saudi Arabia to witness the event.—APP