Pakistan ban mobile phones and cameras for Wushu team

Countdown to the South Asian Games with Dinesh Weerawansa

SA GAMES: Just four days away from the South Asian version of Olympics - the 10th South Asian Games, to be hosted by Sri Lanka. The eight-nation Games will be the biggest ever multi-sport event to be hosted by Sri Lanka. Through this countdown series, the 'Daily News' will have a closer look at the South Asian Games, its history, local preparations and our medal prospects.

Pakistan has banned its competitors in the wushu team from using mobile phones and cameras during the 10th South Asian Games in Sri Lanka. The Pakistani officials said that they were compelled to take this decision to maintain discipline and concentrate fully on their events.

"We have decided that our competitors will not be allowed to use mobile phones or cameras during the Games," the Secretary of Pakistan Wushu Federation, Malik Iftikhar was quoted as saying. "It has been done as it can divert their attention," he added.

Pakistan has cautioned its competitors against drugs.

The competitors have also been directed not to take any medicine without consulting the official doctor of the Pakistani contingent to avoid any possible drug scandals.

The competitors have been given a list of permitted medicines which are recommended by the doctor for use in case of sickness.

Besides wushu, Pakistan targets gold medals in soccer, hockey and volleyball at the 20-discipline Games.

But with preparations for October's World Cup already on, both Pakistan and India will be fielding their second string teams for the SA Games to be worked off in Matale. Yet, the arch rivals are looking forward for a final showdown.

"I am very much optimistic of winning gold medal as team is quite capable of beating India `A'," Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) secretary Akhtarul Islam has said. Hockey has been included only for the second time in the 22-year-old Games' history.

Though the soccer competition starts today, Pakistan's first match would be on August 19, against the hosts Sri Lanka. The team is currently in the Middle East under the Bahraini coach Salman Ahmad Sharida.

Defending champions Pakistan are confident that they could win the gold once more in Colombo. "According to the feedback from the training camp,

Sharida has been giving tough training to the players. I am quite hopeful the team will retain the gold medal," PFF secretary Arshad Lodhi was quoted as saying. Pakistan edged out India 1-0 in the final at the last Games in Islamabad two years ago.