PSB to work out modalities to host South Asian Games

KARACHI: Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Executive Committee on Thursday directed the Board to work out the modalities for holding the South Asian Games in Pakistan in future.

The Executive Committee has directed PSB to convene a meeting of the Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC), PSB, Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and relevant sports federations to work out the modalities for holding the upcoming South Asian Games in Pakistan, the PSB said after its ExCo meeting held at Islamabad with the federal minister for IPC Riaz Hussain Pirzada in the chair.

The committee decided that Rs500 million should be distributed equally for maintenance of sports facilities and among the federations to prepare the teams effectively for the South Asian Games. The committee also directed the Board to ensure transparency and to meet all PPRA Rules for undertaking refurbishment of Pakistan Sports Complex.

Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had announced the special grant of Rs500 million at a reception recently held in honour of the national contingent which featured in the Commonwealth Games in Australia last month.

The grants will be spent on building infrastructure and athletes training.Nepal are supposed to hold South Asian Games next year, but if Nepal is unable to host Pakistan will stage the biggest showpiece of the region.

The committee directed the Board to initiate the process of insurance of sportspersons with the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan. The secretary, Ministry of IPC, would discuss and finalise the modalities with the chairman of State Life immediately, the Board said.

The executive committee also approved the second hockey field in the name of former Olympian Mansoor Ahmed who died recently in Karachi. His family will be given Rs1 million in recognition of the meritorious services rendered by him.

The committee also sanctioned Rs1 million for Zarina Waqar, former badminton player and coach. She remained under treatment at the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital Lahore for last five years, the Board said.

The committee approved the creation of the post of Project Director for National Sports City (NSC), Narowal, and Chief Engineer (Civil) for smooth functioning of the maintenance wing and ongoing development projects.

Currently there is no qualified civil engineer in the PSB, the Board said.Regarding the proposal of the Secretary IPC for generating funds through public private partnership strictly under rules of PSB, the executive committee decided that this would be examined in accordance with law and no action would be taken without issuance of advertisements as well as compliance of PPRA Rules related to sports activities.The committee endorsed distribution of funds among players of hockey and tennis. The minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed as no objections were received from participants.