LAHORE: Pakistan will participate in five international events in 2018 and 2019: 18th Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia from August 18 to September 2, 2018, 3rd Summer Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina from October 6 to 18, 1st Winter Children of Asia Games Sakhalin in Russia from February 8 – 17, 2019, 13th South Asian Games from March 9 -18, 2019 in Kathmandu, Nepal and 1st ANOC World Beach Games from October 10-15, 2019 in San Diego, California. The decision of participation was taken during an executive committee meeting of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), held under the chair of POA chief Lt Gen (r) Syed Arif Hasan, at a local hotel here on Tuesday. “The house approved participation of Pakistan in the aforementioned events and authorised the POA President to take necessary measures ensuring participation in these events in a befitting manner,” POA secretary general Muhammad Khalid Mahmood told Daily Times on Tuesday. “Besides the Pakistan contingent of 245 athletes and officials already forwarded to the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for necessary arrangements, the committee also approved two judokas – Shah Hussain Shah and Qaiser Hussain – to represent Pakistan at 18th Asian Games 2018 under the umbrella of National Olympic Committee (NOC) Pakistan,” Khalid added. To a question, Khalid said the POA executive committee was confident that, as committed in a meeting as well as during many telephonic conversations with the PSB Director General, the PSB would support and make arrangements for Pakistan contingent for participation in the mentioned events. Khalid said a decision regarding elections of the Islamabad Olympic Association (IOA) and merger of the FATA Olympic Association into the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Olympic Association had been referred to POA constitution & affiliation committee and election commission to take appropriate action as per constitution and rules. “Holding of 33rd National Games in Quetta, National Beach Games in Karachi, 5th Inter-Provincial Games and 1st National Youth Games in 2019 were also discussed and the house decided that after the formation of new Balochistan Government, a POA committee will visit Quetta for discussion and finalising the preparation with the respective Government.” He disclosed that in order to encourage youth and their involvement in national sports, the POA executive committee decided that chapter of ‘National Youth Games’ would be added in the calendar activities of the POA. “As regards to Pakistan’s cycling affairs, the International Cycling Union (UCI) will be apprised that to save the sport of cycling in Pakistan, particularly since the Pakistan Cycling Federation has failed to resolve its provincial association disputes, fresh election of the PCF may be held as per constitution of the POA,” said Khalid. In the end, POA president Syed Arif awarded cash prize to Muhammad Nooh Dastagir Butt, gold medallist at Junior World Weightlifting Championship 2018 held in Tashkent, and wrestler Muhammad Inam, gold medallist at Gold Coast Commonwealth Games 2018. Published in Daily Times, August 1st 2018.