The sporting fans must be enjoying two major events, the ninth SAF Games being held at the sprawling and majestic Islamabad Sports Complex built by the Chinese, and the Test matches under the programme being staged even nearer the multi-nation disciplines of the South Asian extravaganza.
Not only India, which has sent the biggest contingent and expects to collect gold and other medals by the bagful even tiny Bhutan is represented with a small number of participants.
Pakistan is being backed by the home supporters and the atmosphere and setting of the country will come to the aid of its sportspersons, even though the weather is too hot for any improvement of their efforts. The hockey event is conspicuous by its absence and certainly the absorbing and traditional tussle between the two arch-rivals will not be witnessed to the regret of this fast sport, which is still the national game of India and Pakistan.
However, football, which kicked off some days earlier than the sparkling inaugural ceremonies, will be a great attraction since all the participating nations will be showing their aesthetics and refinement in the game. It is possible Bangladesh may upset the calculations of all the squads; it is possible Sri Lanka may create a sensation by lowering the colours of the heavyweights.
One is sorry to note that day by day the standard of soccer has gone down in this area. On the other hand, the Gulf States, which were non-entities same years ago, have ascended many stairs and are throwing a challenge to all the countries, including those of North Asia.
Their tricks of the trade and sorcery are enthralling to behold. Why football in Pakistan and India is going down the hill is for the experts and officials to determine. Maybe it is less paying, maybe the investment is lesser, maybe the governments are not setting apart the needed funds for the training, expertise and foreign exposure of the players. It is sad that the cheapest possible game, being played in all the alleys and streets of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent, is giving way to a comparatively more costly pastime only due to the possibility of having employment avenues and marketing facilities. But which game is being witnessed by the heaviest crowd filling the environs of the stadia globally? Then in which sport the betting in the highest? The sports scribes will certainly point to football.
Much is in stake for Pakistan in the seven-nation games (now 8-nation with the entry of Afghanistan) as they are the hosts. The officials are claiming that they will not be far behind the Big Brother, India. Prof Anwar Chaudhry, the brain behind boxing and the promoter of this martial art internationally, hopes that this country's brawny fighters will win honours in numberless weights. His efforts had delivered the dividends not only in the previous SAF Games but even in fisticuff duels in foreign lands far and near. There have been strenuous drills and training in this country as well as in other lands. Perhaps boxing officials' claims may not go abegging and they may carry away many medals.
Six days would have passed when this piece will see the light of the day - four more days will be left for the curtain to fall. However, intense encounters must have been seen by the spectators, about 50,000, and splendid display of excellence by the competitors. It is to be seen how some of the smaller countries viz. Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan perform. They have sent their sportsmen and women without tall claims, yet they may put up a satisfying show in some disciplines and create upsets. Let us enjoy the efforts in the regional SAF Games. Overall the exercise may be a competition between warmth of friendship and brotherly feelings on and off the field.
The South Asian fiesta was declared open by the Head of the State, Gen Pervez Musharraf, in a colourful ceremony watched by half a million spectators, with hundreds of competitors from eight States present in their attractive kits and blazers. The night sky was lit with fireworks, the crowds welcoming with cheers the show.
Originally Sri Lanka was to host the games but they withdrew the staging right in favour of Pakistan. However, much to the regret and consternation of Pakistan the spectacle was thrice postponed due to factors other than funds, preparation or planning. The US-led invasion of Afghanistan made Pakistan a front-line State and most of the South Asian Federation States refused to send contingents due to security concerns; the Kashmir imbroglio later came in the way and India refused to be a participant and then the US attack on Iraq made the area a risky one. At long last the spectacular event did take off to the thrill of the onlookers and the lovers of sport. Besides, the new records and grabbing of medals by the countries the 10-day events would lead to the enhancing of relations among the regional nations, particularly the landlocked States viz. Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan. Like cricket the games too would open a new era of friendship and amity.
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