Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has released Rs.211 million for the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for preparation and participation of Pakistan’s contingent in the upcoming Asian Games, slated to be held in Jakarata from August 18 to September 2. The federal government on special request of the PSB released the said amount, as part of first installment of budget in financial year 2018-19. “We received approval of Rs. 211million first installment of budget,” said a PSB spokesman on Tuesday. “This is not purely for the Asian Games, rather it’s our regular budget, but the government released it on urgent basis, because besides carrying other expenditures, we need to spend a portion of it for the Asian Games too.”

He said that as per federal government decision, the PSB would bear the expenditure of the contingent on the same lines as in previous editions of the Games.

Initially, Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) had finalised a 397-member contingent but it reduced it to 300 later on. On Monday, the POA stated that the strength may be reduced to 245. “After deliberation with all stakeholders in a meeting in Lahore at the POA office on Monday, it was decided that since final entries and draws of the teams have already taken place therefore no team will be dropped to avoid the penalties by the Olympic Council of Asia and the Organising Committee,” said a POA press release. “However, keeping in view the financial constraint of the PSB, strength of the Pakistan contingent may be reduced from 300 to 245. 83 athletes and officials of the National Sports Federations, not affiliated with the POA or the PSB, have also been accredited who will bear the expense of participation at their own,” added the release.

Published in Daily Times, July 25^th 2018.