KARACHI, Dec 4: The age limit for the next Inter-provincial games may be brought down from 25 to 20 years, aimed at scouting talent at an early age. The proposal is likely to come up for debate when the Annual General body Meeting (AGM) of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) takes place at Lahore in the first fortnight of January.

The AGM which normally takes place in December has been deferred to early next year in view of Eidul Azha and Muharram. The exact date of the meeting will, however, be announced in the near future.

The age limit of the athletes, both men’s and women’s, was fixed U-25 since the games were launched in 2004. So far three editions of the games have taken place – two at Lahore and one at Peshawar.

“Yes this will be part of agenda and a final decision pertaining to reducing the age limit will be taken after consensus in the house,” the POA president, Lt. Gen (retd) Syed Arif Hasan, told Dawn on Thursday in response to a query.

Citing example, he said athletes world over retire even younger then this age after reaching pinnacle of their career and it’s appropriate to take lesson.

The POA chief disclosed that the fourth edition of the Inter-provincial games will also be allotted in the meeting. Sindh and Balochistan are in the run to get POA’s nod for playing host to the games.

The AGM, among other matters, will discuss certain aspects of the POA constitution, the SAF Games preparations and Pakistan’s participation in couple of international events abroad next year.

Arif termed the IOC’s decision to launch summer Youth Olympic Games (14 to 18 years) at Singapore in August 2010 as a ‘very good aspect’ and will bring a healthy change in the society.

Asian Youth Games being held at Singapore next year will serve as a curtain-raiser for the Youth Olympic Games.