ISLAMABAD, April 10: The second edition of the University Games which open here on Monday will have more than 4500 athletes competing in various events. Organised by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) the Games have attracted 65 top universities with competitions being held for both men and women.

The Games are being staged in collaboration with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).

The event is to get a high-profile start with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz due to inaugurate the week-long show at the Jinnah Stadium in the premises of the Pakistan Sports Complex.

There will be competitions in athletics, badminton, tennis, table tennis, basketball, volleyball, cricket, football, hockey, boxing, rowing and squash.

Statistically, the Games are on a more sound footing than last year with the number of participating institutions having risen from 56 to 65 and the athletes’ representation also witnessing a significant increase.

Defending champions University of Punjab and Karachi University are the only two institutions which will compete in all the men’s and women’s events.

To add spice to competition in five events - the HEC organised preliminary contests in basketball, football, cricket, hockey and volleyball in eight zones. The winners and runners-up from these zonal competitions, will now take part in the final round.

The opening day of the Games will see the start of the cricket tournament with four matches to be contested.

The HEC is to spend about Rs 15 million for organising the event.