June 07, 2008	Saturday	Jamadi-us-Sani 02, 1429

PESHAWAR, June 6: Peshawar will be hosting the 3rd Inter-Provincial Games from Nov 9 to 13, 2008 wherein over 1100 players in 17 disciplines will be taking part.

This was stated by Gen Arif hassan, President Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) during a press conference here at the Civil Services Club.

After chairing the meeting for the 3rd Inter-Provincial Games, Arif said the POA is lucky to have the services of person like Syed Aqil Shah, who have devoted all their lives for the promotion of sports in the NWFP in particular and in the country in general.

Arif said earlier the NWFP had the opportunity to host the Games twice but it was not done with zeal and spirit. “But now they have already started preparations for the games and hopefully they will be staged in a befitting manner.”

More than 1100 players in 17 disciplines will compete in the games. They include athletics, badminton, baseball, bodybuilding, boxing, cycling, football, hockey, judo, kabaddi, squash, swimming, table tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, gymnastics and wushu.

Answering querries, Arif said that the POA had launched an awareness campaign by involving Dr. Waqar and a translation of the World Anti-Doping Agency booklet is being currently compiled in Urdu to create awareness among the players.

Arif also advised the players not to use just any off-the-shelf medicines unless they are prescribed by official doctors. About the financial support, Arif Hassan, who is also the chairman of the Pakistan Sports Trust (PST) said that the POA has very limited resources but would provide full support to the NWFP for organizing the games.

The NWFP Olympic Association (NWFPOA) has already submitted a formal request to the NWFP government for a financial support of about Rs.15 million for holding of the games. Official sources in the NWFPOA has informed that NWFP government and the Pakistan Sports Trust have committed to contribute Rs.7 million and Rs.4 million respectively while the remaining amount would be generated through sponsorship.—APP