Thaindian News

Karachi, Sep 24 (ANI): The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has expressed concerns over the chaotic preparations and security concerns for the Commonwealth Games (CWG) in India, but has added that plans to send out a security official ahead of time were “normal”.

POA President Arif Hasan admitted that while there were “concerns” for his contingent, sending an official out for pre-Games check was “not out of the ordinary,” The News reported.

“Naturally there are concerns, but we have full assurances from the organisers that Pakistani athletes will be taken full care of and sending an official for pre-Games checks is a normal procedure,” Hasan said.

“The interior ministry has appointed police official Ahmed Mukkaram to visit New Delhi for normal security and arrangement checks but this has nothing to do with the latest reports (of mismanagement) on the Games,” he disclosed.

Informing that Pakistan would compete in seven disciplines of the Games and their 75-member contingent will leave for New Delhi on September 29, Hasan said, “We have briefed the athletes through lectures on ‘what to do and what not to do’ things and hope that all goes well during the Games.”

The CWG will mark Pakistan’s first major participation in a sporting event in India since November 2008.

Pakistan had won one gold, three silvers and a bronze medal in the last Games held in Melbourne, Australia four years ago.

The Games, due to be held in New Delhi from October 3-14, are in news for all the wrong reasons, as the venue village is still unfinished, and several participating teams have delayed their arrival in the Indian capital, complaining about the facilities and the security arrangements. (ANI)