South Asian Games: Unable to afford athletes` travelling cost, Pakistan drop chartered flight plan

New Delhi: A month after they requested special permission from the Indian government to send their athletes directly to Guwahati and Shillong for the 12th South Asian Games, Pakistan have dropped the plan as they would not afford their athletes' travelling cost.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the Indian government had allowed the Pakistani contingent to reach Guwahati via two special aircrafts after it had raised safety concerns for its athletes following threats from the Shiv Sena.

However, Pakistani officials have now realised that if they send their 400-plus athletes via chartered flights, the government would have to pay the athletes $30 for accomodation in addition to the travel cost.

According to the new plan, like all other athletes, Pakistan will also arrive in the national capital and take flights for Guwahati.

The South Asian Games will be held in Guwahati and Shillong from February 6 to 16, 2016 with eight countries, including Pakistan, participating in the regional multi-sporting event.

Nearly 4,000 athletes and officials are expected to take part in 22 sports disciplines, which include archery, athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cycling, football, handball, hockey, judo, kabaddi, kho kho, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling and wushu.