May 12, 2007	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 24, 1428

LAHORE, May 11: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has ordered an independent inquiry into the dismal performance of the Pakistan contingent at the 15th Asian Games in Doha last year through his Inspection Commission.

This was disclosed by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) officials to a question asked by MNA Mrs. Samia Reheel Qazi on Friday that whether any enquiry committee has been constituted to find out the reasons for the Asiad debacle.

Pakistan had sent a contingent of 196 players and officials to the 15th Asian Games held in Doha from Dec 1-15 but returned with just four bronze medals despite competing in hockey, boxing, snooker, squash, and karate which are believed to be strong points of the country.

To another question of the legislator, it was disclosed that a total amount of Rs 86,02,936 was spent on the personal expenses, air tickets and uniform/kit of the contingent.

According to break-up an amount of Rs 37,56,456 was spent on daily allowances at the rate of USD20 per day for each member of the contingent. The total expenditures on air tickets were Rs 30,93,258 and on uniform/kit are Rs 17,53,222.

The amount spent on training camp and foreign tours of different teams as part of the preparation was besides the amount mentioned above.

Furthermore, the boarding and lodging charges in Doha were provided by the organizing committee.

Pakistan’s performance in almost all major sports have been declining since the last eight years despite the fact that the government has increased the annual budget of sports three folds. Besides this, Pakistan Sports Trust (PST) had also raised huge funds through Hero Card Scheme.