February 18, 2007	Sunday	Muharram 29, 1428

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KARACHI, Feb 17: The Pakistan Sailing Federation (PSAF) is set to introduce national ranking system on the basis of performance of the sailors in domestic events in the near future.

A decision to this effect was taken at the managing committee meeting of the PSAF held at the National Sailing Centre on Saturday with its president Vice Admiral S. V. Naqvi in the chair.

The president empowered Air Cdre Khalid Cheema to constitute a committee aimed at examining its rules and other pros and cons for its launch.

Stressing the need for expanding the base he emphasised upon the officials to hold regattas frequently as a step to attract new blood. “

Its’ the era of youngsters and they should come forward to replace the old guards,” remarked the PSAF chief.

At the same time he stressed for holding coaching seminars and clinics for producing a pool of coaches who can groom the budding sailors.

Naqvi, who is also Commander Karachi, expressed his dismay on the performance of sailors at the last year’s Doha Asian Games as the squad returned empty-handed first time since making their games debut in 1978.

Giving his go ahead to the two internationals assignments this year he asked the sailors to start preparations with a new vigour.

Pakistan will feature in Sail the Gulf regatta being held at Doha next month as the PSB has assured to provide funding. This will be followed by the Asian Sailing Championship in Indonesia in July.

Earlier, secretary PSAF, Cdr Navaid Usmani, presented his report on Asian Games and other activities.

The meeting which lasted for over two hours was attended by representatives of services – Army, Navy, Air Force, Pakistan Youth Sailing Association, Sindh Sailing Association and clubs.