The cricket World Cup 2015 is just around the corner and the media has already created hype in anticipation of an India-Pakistan thriller. The tournament is being played in Australia and New Zealand.

No government organisation has so far announced any special programme to enable the general public to see the matches on big screens. Even the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has no such plan though it is claiming that Pakistan stand a firm chance of downing India in the first match at Adelaide, Australia on Feb 15 (Sunday).

As the match is being held on a public holiday, it is expected to attract a big crowd. The team departed for the tour without fanfare last month after holding a short training camp of four days.

The Afghanistan football team toured Lahore and played a friendly match against Pakistan this past week. The visitors lost 1-2 as Pakistan avenged a defeat it had suffered last year.

To provide security to the visitors during the match, all the gates of the Nishtar Sports Complex remained closed to the traffic throughout the day. Extra security measures were taken compared to when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hosted Kenya in December last. All the gates remained closed and everyone got access to the complex after thorough checking.

The traditional season of the Lahore Polo Club has started to touch its peak as some foreign players have reached Lahore to play tournament. Currently, three foreign players are playing for Pakistan Polo Cup and they are Oliver Hipwood, Matias Vial Perez and Tomas Lorente.

The Lahore Polo Club has a tradition of holding 25 to 30 tournaments in one season, spanning over six months. In the last stage of the season, it has been successful in hosting foreign players.

Although there are not many foreign contenders, the figure is still encouraging if one considers the response of other countries in sending their teams of other sports to Pakistan.

Like the past, the foreign players are displaying outstanding performances.

The Special Olympics Pakistan is holding a “WALK for a Cause” on Sunday. Around 500 special athletes, families, officials, celebrities and others will feature in the race.

The route is from Liberty Market to Hussain Chowk and back to the starting point.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Published in Dawn February 8th , 2015

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