Pakistan national games axed due to security concerns
March 16th, 2010 - 9:17 pm ICT by IANS
Karachi, March 16 (IANS) Pakistan’s sports authorities Tuesday called off this year’s National Games to be held in Peshawar because of a spate of bombings in various parts of the country.
Lt Gen (retd) Arif Hasan, president of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), told reporters in Lahore that the Games cannot take place as scheduled because of security concerns.
“(Foreign) teams are not willing to come to Pakistan because of security issues. We don’t want a situation where a domestic event is also affected by some incident,” Hasan said.
“We took the prevailing situation in the country into consideration and felt the best thing at this stage was to postpone the Games.
“There was also pressure from parents and associations to postpone the Games. Obviously, nothing is more important to us than the safety of our athletes and officials.”
Sports in Pakistan have been hit hard by the security situation.
The International Tennis Federation Tuesday decided to relocate Pakistan’s Davis Cup Group II semi-final against New Zealand because of security fears. The tie was supposed to be held in Lahore in July, but will now be held in New Zealand.
Pakistan has become a no-travel zone for foreign sports team following the terror attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore.
- Pakistan hopes National Games' success will change sporting scenario - Jan 05, 2011
- POA Secretary General not to attend CWG in New Delhi - Sep 30, 2010
- Pakistan's participation in CWG, Asian Games doubtful - Jun 27, 2010
- Pakistan PM orders probe into CWG opener row (Second Lead) - Oct 04, 2010
- Pak plays down 'concerns' over Delhi CWG, says pre-event security check 'normal' - Sep 24, 2010
- Pakistan athletes upset over flag row at CWG opener (Lead) - Oct 04, 2010
- Dengue epidemic affects sports activities in Pakistan - Sep 20, 2011
- Lebanon agrees to play Davis Cup tie in Pakistan - Sep 24, 2011
- Now, Pakistan sending inspection team to Delhi over CWG security fears - Sep 22, 2010
- Pakistani chef de mission sorry for flag row at CWG opener - Oct 06, 2010
- OCA to provide financial aid to Pakistan, North Korea - Nov 12, 2010
- 'Pakistan tennis suffering because of cricket board' - Jul 23, 2010
- Pakistan sports chief sees little hopes of medal in London - Aug 21, 2009
- Being arrogant will not help US: Pakistani daily - Feb 14, 2011
- Pakistan flag row persists despite athletes' return - Oct 15, 2010
Tags: bombings, davis cup, international tennis federation, lahore, national games, olympic association, peshawar, poa, s davis, s sports, security concerns, security fears, security issues, security situation, spate, sports authorities, sports team, sri lankan cricketers, terror attack, travel zone
