The Islamic Solidarity Sports Federation (ISSF) is in direct contact with the Arif Hasan-led POA, a source close to the organising committee of the Games confided to ‘The News’ on Thursday.
But because of the immense pressure from the government the contingent, which is not likely to exceed 15 people, may proceed to Indonesia in small batches.
Departmental players are highly unlikely to become part of the contingent.
Sources said that the Ministry for Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) had written to the departments not to issue NOC to their players for featuring in the Games.
This correspondent also learnt through highly reliable sources that the four weightlifters of WAPDA who are scheduled to depart for Indonesia on Friday (today) have not been issued NOC by their department. Abdul Ghafoor, Shehzad, Yasir Ali, Sufyan and coach Mohammad Ilyas are the ones whose entries have been confirmed.
Normally departments issue NOC to their players a month or at least ten days before the team’s departure, but this time it seems that the weightlifters will not be issued NOC and their departure to Indonesia can be cancelled.
WAPDA has previously supported Arif Hasan as its players featured in the 32nd National Games in Lahore.
This correspondent has learnt that Pakistan’s contingent would get their visas and accreditation cards on arrival.
Swimming, taekwondo and karate are the other disciplines in which Pakistan is expected to participate in the spectacle, which will last till October 1.
A top official of the Pakistan Swimming Federation (PSF) told this correspondent that they were not yet sure about their squad’s participation in the Games. “We are still waiting for an official notice as there are several complications,” the PSF official said.
A source even claimed that the IPC Ministry had also written to the FIA and all airports that they should not allow certain individuals to go to Indonesia without getting permission from the government of Pakistan.
However, another source said that unless the names were put on the Exit Control List (ECL) no one could stop the contingent from proceeding to Indonesia.
Pakistan’s contingent had also silently proceeded to China for the Asian Youth Games because of the same conflict between the government and the Arif Hasan-led POAs.
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