LAHORE, Dec 24: The coach of the FATA cycling team Abdul Waheed said sports is attracting youth at a very big level in the region.

Waheed, who is also a former national cyclist, said: “We were allowed by the Punjab Olympic Assoication (PbOA) to bring a contingent of only 100 athletes but we lodged a protest over the matter that the figure was too little and it was not possible for us to accommodate all the talented youngsters who wanted to take part in the national gala,” Waheed told Dawn during the cycling competition here on Sunday.

“Upon our protest, we were allowed to bring a contingent of 140,” he said. FATA is participating for the first time in the National Games.

Waheed disclosed that such was the enthusiasm of the event in FATA, that the FATA Sports Board was even ready to pay Rs 5 million to the PbOA to accommodate its athletes during their stay in Lahore.

Waheed revealed that sports were being promoted in a big way in FATA and the region had enough funds to run the sports.

“Various NGOs and richer people of the area are donating generously for holding the sports events in FATA region,” he said.

FATA has also fielded women players in cycling and taekwondo but they are not allowed to give interviews to the media.—Sports Reporter