ISLAMABAD, April 5: The SAF Games took three years to take off, but the elaborate planning has been an ongoing process. Revisions have been continuously incorporated in view of the changing current affairs scenario.

Extraordinary security arrangements mark the 9th SAF Games. The plan has been drawn up by the army and encompasses the entire Islamabad city and all entry points to the capital are manned by Rangers.

Five teams have been constituted for monitoring and implementation of security instructions, commanded by majors who are responsible for safety at the venues and for contingents. If they observe any laxity in police security, they indicate it to their superior, who alerts the police.

Close-circuit cameras have been installed at 125 points in the Sports Complex and at all the gates. Their output is monitored in the security control room from a network of close circuit televisions. Walk-through gates and X-ray belts are manned by the Airport Security Force.

But the 2D bar code ticketing system especially developed for the SAF Games in 2001 for the first time in Pakistan had to be abandoned, because the sponsor pulled out after the 9/11 postponement of the games.

The ticket, when swiped through the machine would have flashed the owner's complete data, including NIC number, on the screen, practically foolproofing the security system, but its implementation cost was prohibitive, according to Capt Nauman of the IT branch.

There are 1,500 Rangers in the capital and around 2,000 men of an infantry brigade who have been called as reserve to deal with any emergency. The army has also been deployed at the Margalla Hills. Anti-aircraft guns have been installed and two helicopters fly overhead for surveillance.

An army official on condition of anonymity disclosed that the reason behind the stringent security arrangements was the letter sent by the Indian Olympic Association which had indicated that the confirmation of their contingent's participation was conditional upon the security arrangements provided by the hosts.

However, a senior sports journalist was of the view that the whole point behind organizing such events is public entertainment, and the security arrangements should have been planned around public participation instead of solely prioritizing security demands.

A quick chat with foreign delegates and journalists revealed that they were disappointed by the low turnout at various events. While they understood the reasons behind the security checks, the guests felt that they had to a great extent stifled the spirit of the games and denied them the chance to mix with the crowd.