ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) led by retired General Arif Hassan has announced a 236-member contingent for the 17th Asian Games which is scheduled to start from Sept 19 in Incheon, South Korea.

According to POA documents available with Dawn, the association has announced names of 196 players and 71 officials for 25 teams which will participate in the Games.

Federations associated with Arif-led POA which is the legitimate body enjoying full support of International Olympic Committee (IOC) and federal government will participate in the event.

According to the documents, players will participate in archery, aquatics swimming, badminton, baseball, boxing, cricket (women’s), equestrian, gymnastic, hockey, judo, kabadi, karate, rowing, rugby, shooting, squash, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, and wushu.

The larger squad are of baseball team containing 24 players and four officials followed by football squad comprising 24 members while the hockey squad contain 22 members.

Speaking to Dawn, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) director general Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera confirmed that the POA has announced a 236-member contingent for the Asian Games.

“We are reviewing the list provided by the POA. Except for a few names, there will no major change in squad,” he said, adding that the PSB has been providing all facilities and assistance to federations and players.

During the last Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China, Pakistan clinched eight medals — three gold, two silver and three bronze.

Currently, Pakistan is expecting to win gold in hockey, squash, cricket (women’s), Kabaddi and boxing.

The PSB director general stated that all teams have been doing their best to clinch medals while saying that currently, hockey, squash, table tennis, Kabaddi, rowing, boxing and wushu training camps are in progress in various cities.

Also, Pakistan Weightlifting Federation, Wrestling and Judo Federation and Volley Ball Federation are set to start training camps.

To a query regarding football team, he said that the football squad will start training camp from Sept 1, as currently the team are on Indian tour.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2014