KARACHI, April 26: Pakistan will hold new trials to select their squad for the Asian Sailing Championship later this year following the postponement of the event because of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) threat.

According to the Captain retd A.R Arshad, secretary general of the Pakistan Sailing Federation (PSF), the fresh trials are likely to be held in either October or November this year in Karachi.

Pakistan was to participate in the championship in Mumbai (India) next month. The championship that was to feature top-notch sailors from around 16 countries from all over Asia from May 2 to 11.

The tournament will now be held in january next year, Pakistan has selected a 20-member squad for the Asian Sailing Championship including four officials recently.

Pakistan was to participate in various event of the championship including 470, enterprises, laser, optimistic (both boys and girls) and mistral.

He said that the new trials will have to take place in either October or November followed by the full fledged training of the sailors for a few weeks before their departure for Mumbai in January next year.—PPI