PSB against sending huge contingent for South Asian Games

By
Faizan Lakhani
|
The 13th edition of South Asian Games is scheduled to be held in Nepal. — File photo

KARACHI: The Pakistan Sports Board has advised the Pakistan Olympic Association minimise the number of athletes and officials in Pakistan’s contingent for this year’s South Asian Games, sources have revealed.

The 13th edition of South Asian Games is scheduled to be held in Nepal in December this year, with teams competing in 28 different disciplines.

According to sources, the Pakistan Olympic Association was eyeing to send a contingent of over 300 athletes and coaches to Nepal for region’s biennial sporting competition.

However, they are not told by the PSB to minimise the contingent’s size.

“The PSB has told POA to minimise it because of limited resources and now POA will discuss with various sports federations before finalising a contingent for the event,” the source said.

Pakistan’s preparation for the event has already been marred due to a lack of interest by the PSB and government for preparation of the athletes as the camps for selected athletes haven’t been kicked off.

The camps are likely to be held in November after the national games, less than a month before the start of South Asian Games.

In 12th edition of South Asian Games held in India in 2016, Pakistan was represented by contingent of 337 athletes and officials and they had collectively won 106 medals, including 12 Gold medals.