9th SAF Games, March-April 2004, Islamabad. (2004-3)

The South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) was formed in 1983 for the strengthening and development of regional ties of which Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maidives and Bhutan are the members.

One of the achievements of this regional arrangement has been the establishment of SAF Games, which provides a platform for the athletes and sports persons of the member countries to participate and represent their countries in the competition.

Pakistan first hosted these games in 1989 and it is again going to host the 9th SAF Games in March - April, 2004 for which Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad has been chosen as the venue. The SAF Games represent the biggest sporting event to be held in the country and will be watched by over 1.5 billion people. The aim of the 9th SAF Games Organizing Committee is to use this opportunity to renovate the sporting and equipment facilities at the Pakistan Sports Complex, lslamabad and to use the games as a launching pad for resource mobilization and capacity building which would provide the basis for developing a sports facility conducive for development of sports in Pakistan and enabling its sports persons to achieve success in 2004 Olympics and next Asian Games.

It is expected that 2500 athletes and delegates will attend the Sporting Event in March-April, 2004 from the eight member countries and the Opening & Closing ceremonies will have an attendance of approximately 50,000 people. In addition it is expected that the Opening & Closing ceremonies will be aired live to all the member countries and to Europe & USA. The following games are part of the competition in the gth SAF Games:

° Athletics	° Wrestling	° Taek-wondo
° Swimming	° Weight Lifting	° Karate
° Football	° Table Tennis	° Kabaddi
° Boxing	° Rifle Shooting	° Squash
° Volleyball	° Badminton	° Rowing

Date of Issue (March 29, 2004)