POA, PSB to discuss Islamic Games next month

KARACHI: A meeting of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) is expected to be held in December to discuss Pakistan’s participation in Islamic Games.

A senior official told ‘The News’ on Thursday that the POA had told the PSB that it wanted a meeting to know the latter’s stance about the 4th Islamic Games, to be held in Baku from May 12-22.

The POA official said that Pakistan would be fielding athletes in 14 disciplines in the Islamic Games. “We will try to ensure full-fledged participation,” the official said.

He said that the relevant federations had already been asked keep contact with the PSB which would finance the tour.

However, the official was quick to add that he did not know the camps details of various disciplines.

The PSB had also to discuss the matter in its executive committee meeting which was scheduled to be held on Thursday in Islamabad but was postponed because of the visit of the federal minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Riaz Pirzada to Iran. Pirzada heads the PSB ExCo.

The minister had told this correspondent a few days ago that Pakistan would participate in the Baku competitions.

The minister had also said that the PSB would try to arrange foreign coaches for a few federations ahead of the competitions.

This correspondent has also learnt that some federations have submitted their proposals with the Board about their requirements.

In the first Islamic Games held in Makkah in 2005, Pakistan claimed three gold and one bronze medal in tennis.

The second edition, which was to be held in Iran in 2010, was cancelled because of a dispute between the hosts and Saudi Arabia.

In the third edition, at Palembang, Indonesia, in 2013, Pakistan’s participation was slim because of the dispute between Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and the POA.