PSB awaits POA response to arrange football team’s departure for SAG

KARACHI: Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) is still waiting for the Pakistan Olympic Association’s (POA) response regarding the confirmation of accreditation for the country’s men football team for featuring in the 13th South Asian Games.

“Yes, we are still waiting for the accreditation confirmation,” Azam Dar, a senior official of PSB, told ‘The News’ on Thursday. “After that we will be in a position to take further steps including flight scheduling,” he said.

A senior POA official told ‘The News’ that the accreditation process had been started. However, the official feared that Pakistan might miss their first game. The 18-member team will be accompanied by two officials.

There is no schedule available with either PSB or the Normalisation Committee which has been appointed by FIFA. The NC has contacted Nepal’s football authorities through email but has not received any reply, a source said.

Meanwhile, some media reports said on Thursday that India had withdrawn its entry from men’s football event, leaving the event further truncated. Pakistan’s name is also missing from the list reported by media. Pakistani players are training in Islamabad. Saddam Hussain will lead the side. Tariq Lutfi will be the head coach and former Pakistan captain Haroon Yousuf will be Tariq’s deputy.