ISLAMABAD The Pakistan Swimming Federation was given a green signal by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to hire a foreign coach to train emerging string of talented swimmers.
 
The Secretary-General of the swimming federation, Majid Wasim told Dawn on Tuesday 'We have been allowed to hire the services of a foreign coach with a target to reach the podium in the upcoming SAF Games.' 
 
The 2010 South Asian Games, officially the 11th South Asian Federation Games, is a major event, scheduled to take place from January 29 to February 8, 2010 in Dhaka. Bangladesh.
 
'We have contacted some foreign coaches in USA, Hungary, England and Australia and will hire the best one' he said.
 
The PSF had also contacted China to hire a coach.
 
He pointed out 'However, there is no English speaking coach in China and that makes it difficult to hire a Chinese coach.'
 
Asked to comment about the financial package being offered by the federation, he informed 'A good swimming coach can be hired for around US$6000 and we are bidding for a coach at minimum salary.' 
 
Earlier, he said, the swimming federation had hired the services of a qualified Australian coach Steven Dewick.
 
Majid added that around 50 male and female players were under going strenuous training at Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and Islamabad.
 
He said 'We are grateful to the ministry of sports for allowing us to train the young swimmers at the four different sports facilities till June 30.'

Regarding the past performance of the swimming federation he conceded 'We are the largest medal winners in the SAF games but we are not a priority sports.'
 Tournament held at the PSB Swimming Pool in Islamabad.—APP/File