JEDDAH, 7 April 2005 — “Winning medals is not our goal, we are here to gain experience,” said Sen. Zafar Iqbal Chaudhary, head of the 140-strong Pakistani delegation for the First Islamic Solidarity Games which begin tomorrow.
Speaking to Arab News, Zafar Iqbal said: “We are here to gain experience that we will utilize for our players in Pakistan to improve their standard. Athletes from Arab and African countries have international experience. Playing against them will polish the abilities of our players. Big achievement is not only winning medals, but also being able to play good in the spirit of sportsmanship. We did good home work for these games.”
The idea of staging the first Islamic Games was first mentioned in the OIC charter in 1974 but it took 30 years for the idea to take shape. “The credit for all this goes to Saudi Arabia whose leadership brought Muslim youth on one platform. This event is a proof of that commitment,” said Zafar.
He commended the unprecedented arrangements made by Saudi Arabia in holding the games that will be held at various locations in Saudi Arabia and will run through April 20.
He said Pakistani players are entered in 10 out of 13 events with a good chance for a medal in tennis.
When asked why squash, snooker, and boxing were not included in the games, the senator said: “No game can be included unless six countries confirm their participation in that event and we have not been able to meet the requirement.”
Zafar, who is also the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, also said details of Indian cricket team’s tour to Pakistan, have been completed but are withheld because of Pakistan cricket team’s current tour of India.
The revolutionary steps the government of Pakistan has taken to improve the standard of the sports will bear fruit, the senator said, adding that the infrastructure of the sports bodies is being improved.
Sohail Ali Khan, press attache at the Consulate General of Pakistan-Jeddah, secretary-general of Pakistani contingent Khalid Mehmoud, Waqar Marouf and Dr. Waqar Ahmed also attended the function.
