ISLAMABAD, May 28: The Pakistan Triathlon Federation is to hold the inaugural national championship in late July in Islamabad, newly-elected officials said on Sunday.

The federation's elections were held here in which Sikandar Hayat was elected the president and Muqaram Ali Shah as its secretary.

Hayat told a news conference that his federation will be seeking affiliation of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) after organising the national championship.

"Triathlon is a demanding event and we know that holding the championship in hot and humid July will not be the best of times but we have other activities planned after that," said Hayat, a Senior Superintendent of Police in Islamabad.

Triathlon, an Olympic sport involves swimming, cycling and running and requires the athletes to be in top physical shape.

Hayat said that his newly-elected team will strive to make triathlon a popular sport in Pakistan and help the country win medals one day.

"This is not an expensive sport and I am sure that it will gain popularity in a short span of time."

Office-bearers:

Sikandar Hayat (president), Talat Khursheed (senior vice president), Capt Mathab Ahmed, Wisal Mohammad, Tariq Minhas, Ajmal Habib, Murid Hussain (vice presidents), Muqarram Al Shah (secretary), Mohammad Yousuf (associate secretary).