LAHORE, Dec 20: Contingents of three provinces, besides Fata and Islamabad are scheduled to arrive here on Friday to take part in the 32nd National Games scheduled to be held against all odds at various centres from Dec 22 to 28.

With the Games starting on Saturday a full-dress rehearsal will be organised at the Railways Stadium here on Friday.

Games Organising Secretary Khawaja Idrees Haider said that since the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has disaffiliated Islamabad, its contingent would take part in the Games under the flag of the POA.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa contingent comprising around 300 players and officials has left Peshawar and they would be in Lahore in the wee hours of Friday, said the Games’ organising secretary.

Likewise, Balochistan contingent will reach by Jaffar Express at 1.30pm on Friday while the Sindh contingent will be reaching here by PK306 at 8.30 pm at the Allama Iqbal International Airport.

Fata and Islamabad’s contingents are also scheduled to arrive on Friday.

It is important to note that the Games are being held amid controversies with the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and Punjab Sports Board (PbSB) alleged non-cooperation with the Punjab Olympic Association (PbOA) hindering smooth progress of the Games.

Showing lacklustre attitude to the PbOA in organising the Games, the PSB has refused to hand over sports equipment to the Games organisers who despite all difficulties have vowed to hold the national sports gala at any cost.

Though Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy have confirmed their participation in the last meeting of the Organising Committee held in Lahore on Dec 6, they are yet to send their final entries to the Games’ organisers.

However, Wapda has sent entries and expect to win the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy if their traditional rival Army remained absent from the Games.