SAF Games early next year

The ninth South Asia Federation Games, which have been postponed twice since last year due to security considerations, would now be held in Islamabad from March 29 to April 7 next year.

A unanimous decision to this effect was taken on Saturday at the Executive Committee meeting of the South Asian Sports Federation which was attended by officials of all the seven SAARC countries.

The meeting decided that the Games should go ahead even if any member country stays away due to political or security reasons, SAF Games Organising Committee chairman Lt Gen Syed Arif Hasan told reporters.

The SAF Games, which were first scheduled for October last year, were postponed after the September 11 terrorist attacks in United States. The organising committee then proposed fresh dates between March 30 and April 8 this year, but it was postponed again due to military tensions between India and Pakistan.

Hasan said despite best efforts the Games could not be held this year as the member countries wanted to prepare for the Asian Games in Busan in South Korea in September-October.

Pakistan preferred to hold the Games early next year as the Muslim holy month of Ramazan commences in November.

At the centre of attraction was the three-member Indian delegation, led by Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi, which used the visit to promote sporting ties with Pakistan.

"My visit reflects the desire of India to restore and normalise sports relations between the two countries," Kalmadi told reporters after the meeting.

Asked whether there is any guarantee that India would participate in the Games next year irrespective of sensitive political and military situation between the two countries, Kalamadi said no one could provide any such guarantee when it comes to Indo-Pak relations. "It is up to the people of both countries to prevail on their governments to normalise sports relations," he said.

Over 1000 athletes are expected to participate in the SAF Games. Arch-rivals India and Pakistan have already announced a 380-strong contingent each.