LAHORE, July 7: Altogether 90 male and female athletes are attending national athletics camp at Islamabad for preparations of Pakistan-India Punjab Games being held later this year in Lahore.

“It is the first phase of training and we will be weeding out athletes in phases to form a balanaced squad for the Games,” said coach, Chaudhary Muhammad Saddique on Thursday. He said players are being trained and groomed in two daily sessions with main emphasis on physical endurance and stamina building drills.

“If our athletes are having supreme fitness, strength and stamina then they can excel and throw a strong challenge to Indian athletes,” he said.

Saddique said Indian athletes were better trained and advanced because of their frequent participation in international meets in large number.

“The Games will be a direct Pakistan-India competition and athletics being the showpiece event of the Games carries importance and become thrilling for the audience,” he asserted.

He said, the athletes are sharpening their skills under the watchful eyes of a group of coaches comprising Chaudhary Muhammad Yousaf, Gufran Hussain, Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Maqsood and Muhammad Amin.—APP