NWFP Minister for Sports, Culture and Tourism Syed Aqil Shah has said that the 31st National Games will not be shifted from Peshawar and will be held here as per schedule. This, he said, while presiding over an emergency meeting of the NWFP Olympic Association here on Monday night. Representatives from all the sports associations attended the meeting.
The meeting contradicted a news item in a section of the press regarding shifting of the games from Peshawar to Islamabad, and unanimously decided that these games would not be shifted from Peshawar. The meeting was informed that the NWFP government and all the law-enforcement agencies had assured the provision of foolproof security arrangements during the games.
The meeting was informed that the NWFP Olympic Association, the government and Sarhad Sports Board was well all set to organise the games as the venues had already been finalised and the provincial government had provided the required amount for the games to the NWFP Olympic Association. Shah told the meeting that the provision accommodation as well as well as other facilities for the players had been finalised, and expressed the hope the 31st National Games would be held in a much better way.
The meeting nominated Shah Jehan Shinwari as chief d'mission, Ijaz Ahmad as secretary of the contingent and Najma Qazi as deputy chief d' mission. The NWFP Health Department and Red Crescent Committee would provide free medical coverage to the players. Trials to select player would be completed by October 15, while every team would be given a quota to keep 50 percent additional players. During the camp, a camp commandant would be appointed to monitor the players so as to ensure transparency in the selection process.