ISLAMABAD, Nov 30: Pakistan’s contingent will compete in as many as 21 sports disciplines in the 15th Asian Games which get underway amid fanfare at Doha on Friday.

Upto 40 sports disciplines will feature in the 15-day sports gala which will be the biggest ever edition of the Games since its inception at New Delhi in 1951.

Pakistani athletes have been preparing for the Doha Asiad since early September and their coaches and team officials are looking ahead to a good performance from them.

The Pakistan Sports Board, besides engaging top local coaches for the Asian Games preparation, also acquired the services of seven foreign coaches in the disciplines of boxing, shooting, karate, taekwondo and wrestling.

In all, Pakistan have won 40 gold, 60 silver and 82 bronze medals in the Asian Games which have come a long way since its inception about 55 years ago. That inaugural event in 1951 was participated in by just 11 countries who contested in only six disciplines.

In a stark contrast, the Games in Doha will be competed by 44 countries and regions, making the current edition of Asiad as the biggest sporting event in the world after the Olympics.

Besides over 11,000 male athletes competing from all over the world, at least 2,000 female competitors will also be participating in the Doha Games, making it the largest ladies representation in any Asiad.

The Pakistan contingent will be looking for rich medal haul in individual disciplines such as the martial arts which include karate, judo and taekwondo as well as boxing, shooting.

In team contests, Pakistan is banking heaviliy on its hockey team to break a 16-year Asian Games jinx and clinch a gold medal.—APP