Pakistan second group leaves for S Asian Games
KARACHI: The second group of the Pakistan squad has left here for Dhaka today to participate in the South Asian Games.
Federal minister for sports Mir Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani also accompanied the contingent which consists of 167 athletes of five games.
In all, an squad of 330 Pakistani players will participate in the South Asian Games and 192 players and officials have so far proceeded to Dhaka.
Players of basketball, kabaddi, judo, squash and shooting were included in the second group of the squad which left the Jinnah Terminal Karachi today (Thursday).
The contingent was accompanied by deputy chief de-mission Dr Waheed Mughal and federal minister for sports Jakhrani.
Pakistan will compete for winning gold medals in all events, except archery, in the South Asian Games which include 32 events.
The national players say that their main rival in the Games will be India and they will make all out efforts to outclass the Indians.
Players of handball, golf, boxing, swimming, table tennis, wrestling, athletics, karate, taikuwando and visho will reach Dhaka in various groups by February 4.
The inaugural ceremony of the Games will be held today in Dhaka and the games will continue upto February 8.
More than 2,000 athletes from eight countries will be seen in action in the SAsian Games.