It has taken five years of delays and postponements but the 9th South Asian Federation (SAF) Games will get under way, running from 29 March until 7 April. For the first time rowing has been added as one of the 14 disciplines. Contestants from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India expected to compete.
Afghanistan has been training alongside the Pakistani squad for over a week at Rawal Lake near Islamabad where the two teams are acclimatising. Acting Secretary General of the Pakistan Rowing Federation, Rizwanal Haq said he was expecting a clean sweep by Pakistan rowers in all seven events. Pakistan has the biggest contingent of rowers with 23 men competing and they will be using the competition to prepare for the Asian Olympic Qualification Regatta in April.
If Pakistan‘s rowers do as well as expected the athletes can look forward to monetary rewards. Pakistan‘s Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khou Jamali recently announced that a cash prize will be given to all Pakistan athletes who finish in the top three. The first place getter will receive just under $US18,000.
The SAF Games were first held in 1984 in Kathmandu, Nepal. They began with the vision of adopting peace, perseverance and progress in the region as in line with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The aim has been to strengthen ties between the associated nations of Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Maldives.
