KARACHI, April 30: The Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) has chalked out plans to establish an athletics academy in Lahore to raise the standard of track and field as well as other sports. “The prime minister has approved a grant of rupees 30 million for the establishment of the academy while the Punjab chief minister has promised to provide land free of cost,” Lt Gen Safdar Hussain, President AFP said on Saturday while unveiling plans.

Addressing a press conference at the KESC head office after presiding over the AFP executive committee meeting, he said the proposed academy was expected to be completed in two years.

Safdar said the establishment of athletics academy was a long standing demand, which upon completion would groom talent to produce skilled sportsmen.

The academy, he said, would also provide technical support to other games like hockey, cricket and squash.

He appreciated the prime minister’s gesture who has enhanced the AFP’s annual grant from Rs0.5 million to Rs2.5 million.

Giving details of the meeting, he said Sindh would play host to the Inter-provincial (under-20) athletics meet in July. Earlier, it was awarded to NWFP but they did not respond positively.

Safdar said he had asked Sindh government to organize an international marathon in Karachi.

When asked whether AFP had permitted women’s marathon in other cities of Punjab which drew a lot of hue and cry, he said: “It was a provincial matter...”

He said the AFP had decided to set up different zones to pick talent from the grassroots level, and had plans to send talented athletes to a foreign country, probably Germany, with an eye on 2008 Olympics.

The executive committee also decided to enforce Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) for registration and transfer of athletes from one unit to another. It would be considered from April l to June 30 every year on payment of Rs1,000 (with NOC) and Rs5,000 (without NOC), he informed.