SAF Games likely to be cancelled

The ninth South Asian Federation Games and other international sporting events in Pakistan may be cancelled following tension over possible United States retaliation against Afghanistan.

Pakistan is to host the games for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation members in Islamabad from October 6-15. The countries are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

An SAF Games organiser told Indo-Asian News Service: "We are very disappointed at the way things are moving. But we'll make our last ditch effort to stage the show for which we are preparing for one year."

He said the government has asked them to proceed according to plan but "we are receiving signals that the Games would certainly be cancelled in case the United States decides to launch an attack on Afghanistan."

After the United States' increasing demands that Pakistan allow its use of ground and air space to launch retaliatory attacks in Afghanistan, which harbours Saudi exile Osama bin Laden, and the resulting political uncertainty in the country, the Games seem set to be cancelled.

The US believes bin Laden is the mastermind behind the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington in which thousands are feared killed.

Other officials and organisers voice similar concerns as well.

Another official said almost all organising committee members were demoralised. "Let's pray for the best. We have worked very hard for this show," he said.

While media reports here suggest the Indian Olympic Association has assured India's participation in the Games after an executive committee meeting of the South Asian Sports Federation in Islamabad, a statement by IOA president Suresh Kalmadi that India would consider the security situation before coming to Pakistan strongly indicates its participation is doubtful.

But SAF Games spokesman Yahya Ghaznavi said: "We have not received any negative signals from the participating countries so far. Therefore, the games are very much on."

Concerns about postponement and cancellation of the Games had first surfaced after New Zealand's cricket team "temporarily" called off their Pakistan tour last week citing security reasons.

In another development, the International Cricket Council executive committee meeting scheduled for Lahore on October 14 has also been shifted to Kuala Lumpur. The ICC decided to shift the meeting to Kuala Lumpur on the insistence of officials of member countries who were to attend the meetings.

Ghaznavi, however, is noncommittal about whether the Games would go ahead if India backs out. "The concerned ministry will be approached if they (Indians) decide to stay away from the Games," the official said.

Earlier, the International Baluchistan Football Tournament was cancelled Tuesday, a day before it was to flag off. "The tournament has been called off for an indefinite period," said Pakistan Football Federation secretary general Agha Liaquat Ali.

Two clubs each from Kabul, Herat and Iran were to take part in the tournament.

Ali was, however, confident that the 9th SAF Games would be held as per schedule. "The Indian football team is coming here to participate in the games. Their secretary Albert Calaco has assured me of this fact," he said, referring to a telephonic conversation with his Indian counterpart.

Organizers of the Pakistan Open World Super Series Squash tournament have also said that the event will go ahead as planned, from November 9.

Punjab Squash Association president Zarrar Azeem said neither the Professional Squash Association nor the Pakistan Squash Federation have intimated them about postponement or cancellation of the event, being organised for the first time in Lahore.