ID :
24711
Wed, 10/15/2008 - 19:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/24711
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Govt allows foreign player to stay in high security zones
Karachi, Oct 15 (PTI) The Sports Ministry has approved Pakistan Squash Federation's (P.S.F.) proposal to allow foreign players stay in Islamabad's high security 'red zone' areas where the arrangements are manned by the Armed forces personnel and are in the highest bracket.
The Squash Federation has proposed that visiting players be housed in these 'red zones' when they come to Pakistan to participate in the lucrative Pakistan Open championship next month.
So far the P.S.F. is facing great difficulties in convincing the top professionals of the international squash circuit including world number one Amr Shabana of Egypt to play in the Pakistan open.
The P.S.F. in order to attract maximum foreign entries
has even extended the last date for entries to end of the
month. Sports Minister Najamuddin Khan confirmed they were
making arrangements for the players to stay in safe areas.
"We have made arrangements for players to stay in places
we consider more safe. They will stay with the chief of Squash
Federation who is in the Air force ... we will not have to be
worried about their security," Khan said.
Pakistan sports has been hit hard by the security
situation in the country with cricket, hockey and squash the
worst hit as foreign players constantly refuse to come to
Pakistan in existing circumstances.
Khan said the government was keen to have international
sporting events in the country and would offer all support to
the sports federations to convince players to come to
Pakistan.
On the hockey affairs, Khan supported the decision of
senior politician Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali to resign as
President of the Pakistan hockey federation this week.
"Jamali sahab is our senior politician who has served the
country as a Prime Minister as well. His decision to step
down as P.H.F. President is an action for the greater
good. He should be congratulated for the bold decision and I
suggest all those who are responsible for the decline in
hockey should also follow his footsteps by quitting," Khan
said.
He said former Olympian and now an active member of the
ruling party, Qasim Zia is most likely to replace Jamali as
P.H.F. President.
"We will be issuing the notification very soon," Khan
added. PTI
The Squash Federation has proposed that visiting players be housed in these 'red zones' when they come to Pakistan to participate in the lucrative Pakistan Open championship next month.
So far the P.S.F. is facing great difficulties in convincing the top professionals of the international squash circuit including world number one Amr Shabana of Egypt to play in the Pakistan open.
The P.S.F. in order to attract maximum foreign entries
has even extended the last date for entries to end of the
month. Sports Minister Najamuddin Khan confirmed they were
making arrangements for the players to stay in safe areas.
"We have made arrangements for players to stay in places
we consider more safe. They will stay with the chief of Squash
Federation who is in the Air force ... we will not have to be
worried about their security," Khan said.
Pakistan sports has been hit hard by the security
situation in the country with cricket, hockey and squash the
worst hit as foreign players constantly refuse to come to
Pakistan in existing circumstances.
Khan said the government was keen to have international
sporting events in the country and would offer all support to
the sports federations to convince players to come to
Pakistan.
On the hockey affairs, Khan supported the decision of
senior politician Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali to resign as
President of the Pakistan hockey federation this week.
"Jamali sahab is our senior politician who has served the
country as a Prime Minister as well. His decision to step
down as P.H.F. President is an action for the greater
good. He should be congratulated for the bold decision and I
suggest all those who are responsible for the decline in
hockey should also follow his footsteps by quitting," Khan
said.
He said former Olympian and now an active member of the
ruling party, Qasim Zia is most likely to replace Jamali as
P.H.F. President.
"We will be issuing the notification very soon," Khan
added. PTI
