PESHAWAR, March 23: An official of the Afghanistan Olympic Association has expressed hope that their players will do well in the 9th SAF Games to be held at Islamabad from March 29-April 7.

The first batch of 77 Afghans, currently staying in Peshawar for practice at the Qayyum Sports Complex is hopeful to grab medals in wrestling, football and karate.

Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Afghanistan Olympic Association (AOA) official Abdul Saboor Azizi said that Afghan wrestlers, footballers and karate players had the potential to win medals,

Afghan athletes are taking part in 10 disciplines and are receiving practice and other support from Pakistan to improve their skills. The first batch of 77-member Afghan contingent, which arrived on March 15, is currently engaged in rigorous training and preparation for the games under both Pakistani and Afghan coaches in Peshawar.

Afghan footballers currently under training at PAF football ground will play their preliminary round match against Pakistan on Saturday at Qayyum Sports Complex before leaving for Islamabad for the SAF Games, starting on Monday.

The second batch of the Afghan contingent for another six disciplines will be arriving in Pakistan on March 25 as Afghanistan is set to make its SAF Games debut at the 9th edition of the games.