ISLAMABAD: Mr Abdul Hafeez Pirzada, the Chairman of the Asian Games Organising Committee, disclosed here today [Dec 14] that actual expenditure on the 1978 Asian Games in Islamabad will be not more than 150 crore rupees, and not 250 crores as reported earlier. Addressing a Press conference … the … Minister also revealed that the duration of the Games would be extended by two or three days… . It might be spread over about 14 days.

Replying to a question, he said actual expe­nditure on games itself would be much less as the total included expenses on telecommunication, transport, flats, houses, hotels. … He said that as a host country Pakistan will use its option to get polo and squash included in the Games. … Mr Pirzada said that while China had already extended generous help for construction of the Sports Complex many other friendly countries have offered their assistance for this project. Mr. Pirzada said the Government was all out to give fillip to sports activities in the country. For this purpose a special grant of Rs. seven lakhs was allocated for the participation [of] the Pakistan contingent in the 7th Asian Games in Teheran.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2024