IPC Ministry approves 305-member Games squad

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) has approved a 305-member Pakistan contingent for the 13th South Asian Games and has sent the summary for the prime minister’s approval.

Talking to ‘The News’ on Monday, IPC Secretary Akbar Durrani said: “Since the prime minister is the final authority, the summary has been sent for his approval. We are now waiting for his approval. We cannot at this point of time give the go ahead.”

He said in all probability the ministry would be in a position to share the details of the Pakistan’s contingent for the Games by Thursday.

“All I can say at this point of time is that the IPC Ministry has approved a 305-member contingent,” he said.

The South Asian Games are starting in Nepal from December 1.The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) wanted the government to financially support a 423-membersquad, saying any cut in that number would hurt Pakistan’s chances of winning more medals in the Games.

Meanwhile, the POA was in the final stages of sending byname entries of 423 members who it had finalised after getting a couple of days’ extension from the SAG organisers.

It is not yet clear what will be the fate of the remaining 118 members who will not be supported by the government. Whether the sports federations will arrange their trip to Nepal on its own or will they apply a cut to its squads remain to be seen. It is estimated that each individual travelling to Nepal will cost around Rs500,000. The expenses include travelling, boarding/lodging and daily allowances.