KARACHI, Oct 22: The cash-strapped Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) has demanded of the provincial government to immediately release adequate funds for obtaining railway reservation for the proposed 324-member Sindh contingent and purchasing kits for participation in the third Inter-provincial Youth Games slated at Peshawar from Nov 9 to 11.

“The time is running out as at least 15 days are required for advance booking,” a dejected SOA secretary, Ahmed Ali, who is running from pillar to post in this regard told Dawn on Wednesday night.

He said the budgetary proposal for the trip which amounts to the tune of over Rs2.6 million and duly approved by the provincial sports minister were sent to the finance department two months back and awaiting the nod from the Chief Minister.

“The current situation has put Sindh’s participation in the games in jeopardy and if delayed, there will be no other option left then to cancel the trip,” said the perturbed official.

He said the Sindh sports minister has recently released an amount of Rs0.8 million that was equally shared by affiliated SOA units and another Rs3,20,000 for holding camps in the disciplines that feature in Peshawar from his own pocket.—Sports Correspondent