UAE | General
Afro-Asian Games to miss top stars
The Afro-Asian Games, expected to be held here from October 24- November 1, in which 90-odd countries are expected to participate will be without some of the top stars from both the continents, it is learnt.
- By Lionel Messias, Correspondent
- Published: 00:00 October 2, 2003
The Afro-Asian Games, expected to be held here from October 24- November 1, in which 90-odd countries are expected to participate will be without some of the top stars from both the continents, it is learnt.
While Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials say everything is going according to plan, the State Government officials are a worried lot because Pakistan is the only country that has confirmed its participation so far.
The officials have reason to be worried because firstly, this is an event that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu moved heaven and earth to host in Hyderabad.
And secondly, there is news coming in that top African athletes are staying away from the All-African Games at Abuja to begin from Saturday, there are doubts that not only top Asian sportspersons, but even the top guns from Africa might stay away from Hyderabad.
In fact, local hero, weight-lifter Karnam Malleswari will not be participating because she prefers to train for the November World Championships in Vancouver, Canada, to earn a qualifying berth for Athens.
"We are not aware of these developments. It is the job of the Indian Olympic Association to get all the entries. The onus is on them to talk to various National Olympic Councils and get confirmation for the Games. They have been given assurances by the various countries," one of the organising committee officials said.
But there is optimism that all this will be sorted out and Hyderabad will not be disappointed. However, other arrangement are on in full swing in prepartion for the sports event.
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