Pak provides top-level security to Iran`s women team

Karachi: Pakistan is offering highest level of security cover to the Iranian women`s football team, which

is the first foreign sporting contingent to visit the country after Lahore terror incident in March. Pakistan Sports Minister Aftab Shah Jillani said that the country had learnt a lot from the terrorist attack on Sri Lankan cricket team, which left several players injured, and was not willing to take any risk this time. "The government at federal level is directly monitoring the security arrangement for the Iranian team and there will be no relaxation at all. Because we want tours by foreign teams to resume as soon as possible in all sports," Jillani said. The Iranian team is in Islamabad to take part in National Women`s football championship at the Pakistan Sports Complex, which will remain heavily guarded by security personnel during the event from July 29 to August 11. "It is a great opportunity for women to compete in football and it is a positive step that we have the Iranian team with us. It will help promote the sport among girls in our country," said Rubina Irfan, chief of women`s wing in the Pakistan Football Federation. She made it clear that keeping in mind the customs and traditions of Pakistan, only females and children would be allowed to watch the championship matches in the stadium while the players would put on long trousers. The Iranian team is being provided with full police and commandos escort from within the airport to the complex where they will be housed. Rubina said the visiting players would be provided with security escorts even while travelling within the complex from their residential quarters to the ground. It is only since the regime of former President Pervez Musharraf that women have been encouraged to take part in different sports with Pakistan now fielding a full fledged team in international cricket. Six girls also recently visited India to take part in 15th Asian Table Tennis Championships in Jaipur. Bureau Report