LAHORE, March 4: The Punjab Olympic Association (POA) has set aside the advice of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and decided to organize the first Inter-provincial games from March13 to 15.

PSB had advised POA not to hold the games because a good number of technical staff and players, currently engagedin the preparation of the ninth SAF Games, would have to be relieved for the provincial games.

The SAF Games are scheduled to be held at Islamabad from March 29 to April 7. As the SAF Games are round the corner, no official could berelieved because it would affect Pakistan's performance in the games, Pakistan Sports Board pleaded.

Furthermore, final exams of schools are held in Punjab in the month of March and as the organisers intend to assemble around 8,000 students at the open ingand closing ceremonies it could seriously hamper their studies.

Inall,2000 athletes and officials of all the four provinces are taking part in the games which had already been postponed twice. Every top position holder will get Rs 20,000.

Sports included in the provincial games are, athletics, baseball, boxing, cycling, football, gymnastic, volleyball, swimming, weightlifting and wrestling.