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| October 17, 2005 | Monday | Ramzan 12, 1426 |
ROWING: PRF pulls out due to visa delay
LAHORE, Oct 16: The Pakistan Rowing Federation (PRF) has decided not to take part in the Asian championship being held in Hyderabad, Deccan after the Indian High Commission did not issue visas to two key players Mohammad Akram and Irfan.
The PRF secretary Rizwanul Haq told Dawn that a 15-member squad of Pakistan was to take part in the event to be held from Oct 19 to 23, but till Sunday the Indian High Commission did not inform the federation about issuing visa to two main players.
“The high commissioner has issued visas to 13 members and advised us to wait for the remaining two as they are awaiting clearance from India for the two,” Rizwan said.
“We could wait till Sunday after which it will be impossible to make other arrangements, therefore, the federation decided not to take part,” he said.
Rizwan said that Mohammad Akram was the best rower of the team, who had to lead an eight-member team and also in the four-scull event.
Akram, an Olympian, had grabbed two gold medals in the last SAF Games held in Pakistan and was also honoured with the pride of performance award by the president of Pakistan.
Without Akram, Pakistan had no bright chances to win a gold, therefore, PRF decided not to go.
Rizwan said that he had also informed his Indian counterpart on phone, saying Pakistan would not take part under protest for delay in issuance of visas to the entire team.
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