ISLAMABAD, July 15: The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) is to hold talks with Russian and Moroccan officials during next month’s IAAF World Congress in Helsinki to seek services of their coaches for national athletes.

Muhammad Khalid Mahmood, secretary of AFP said on Friday that there were two options for the federation. The first was to send the athletes abroad for training or to have the coaches come down to Pakistan.

“We have to see which option is financially viable but I would prefer that our athletes train outside Pakistan,” said Khalid who will be heading to Helsinki along with the president of AFP Lt. Gen Safdar Hussain for the Aug 1-4 Congress.

“If we decide that our athletes train away, we will also be sending two coaches with them so that they too can benefit.”

Khalid pointed out that the Russians were among the top nations in athletics while the Moroccans have great talent in 800 and 1500 metres.

“Our short term objective is to prepare the athletes for next year’s Asian Games in Doha while in the long-term our target will be the 2010 Asiad.”

If at all the AFP decided to have foreign coaches train in Pakistan, they intend hiring either a coach each for sprints and hurdles or for the jumps and hurdles combination.

Meanwhile a three-member Pakistan squad will be taking part in the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki which begin from Aug 6.

Gulnaz Ara will be competing in the 800m while Afzal will contest in the 100m. Salman Iqbal Butt has been named as the manager.