Asian Championship in IndiaPak athletes may face

visa problem

KARACHI: Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) may face problem in getting visas for athletes who are to compete in the Asian Athletics Championship at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India, from July 6-9.

India recently denied visas to Pakistan’s squash players and wrestlers.

But the AFP president Maj Gen Akram Sahi is trying to secure India’s visas for the athletes.

“Both the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) and world athletics governing body (IAAF) know about the issue. Last week I talked to the AAA chief, telling him that problems might be created. He said he would talk to the Indian authorities,” Sahi told ‘The News’ on Monday.

“The other important thing is that there will also be the AAA Congress during the championship and as I am member of the executive committee so my presence there will be important. Because of my important role in the association, the AAA president would want me to be there,” said Sahi, a former international athlete.

He said that Indian athletics authorities had also promised that there would be no visa issue for the Pakistani athletes.

Sahi added that it was confirmed that the quartet who won 4X400m men’s relay silver medal in the Islamic Games and javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, who grabbed bronze in Baku, would take part in the event.

However, he was quick to add that the AFP would try to send a few more athletes to India. He said eight or nine more athletes had been shortlisted for the purpose.

“If we are able to manage some funds we will try to send some more athletes,” he said.

He said that on Tuesday he would meet Director General of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Khayyal Zad Gul and discuss with him the training programme and other issues about Pakistan’s participation in the continental championship.

“We want the camp to be started immediately as there is not enough time,” Sahi said.

He said that the AFP would give the Baku medallists cash prizes.