31st National Games continue successfully

PESHAWAR – Twice postponed because of security concerns, the 31st National Games finally began in Peshawar December 25 in the shadow of Taliban threats and extreme security measures involving hundreds of thousands of police, regular army troops and paramilitary personnel.

As in past years, the Pakistani Army quickly began dominating the games, with its athletes leading all others in the medal count. As of December 28, the fourth day, the Army was leading with 32 golds, 16 silver and five bronzes. The next closest contender, the Water and Power Development Authority, was a distant second with 18 golds, five silver and 18 bronzes .

Kiran Khan of the Army has been nicknamed “golden girl” after winning 15 gold medals in swimming competitions held in Islamabad.

The Games, estimated to cost some Rs 70.5m (US $820,000) were originally scheduled for 2008. Serious security threats forced their postponement to 2009, and then forced another delay to 2010.

Tightened security

Peshawar has seen fewer terrorist attacks this year than the last two years, and military operations in former Taliban strongholds in Swat and South Waziristan improved the security situation.

While some critics were taken aback by the decision to hold the games in Peshawar, the games' patron, Syed Aqil Shah, appeared unmoved by the criticism.

“Achievements do not come without risks. Life means risk, and I did take it, and let’s pray to God the games conclude sans any unpleasant incident,” he told Central Asia Online while watching karate competitions at the Peshawar Sports Complex.

KP Police are providing the first layer of security, the army the second layer, and Frontier Corps paramilitary jawans are contributing to what Aqil Shah called “foolproof security” for 3,500 female and male players and around 1,500 technical officials.

Security has been extremely tight, and all venues have been sealed, with body searches awaiting visitors at a number of places. Police official Nazakat Khan closely watched every incoming player, volunteer, security officer and journalist and searched all of them.

“This all aims to help the games continue peacefully,” he told Central Asia Online as a new video from Swat Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah warned of more suicide bombings after a burqa-clad bomber killed 47 tribe members in Khar Bajaur Agency December 25.

The militancy has hit sporting activities hard in Pakistan. The commando-style attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore March 3, 2009, forced international sports out of the country, with the Pakistani cricket team now playing foreign teams in other countries.

“Holding the games in Peshawar sends a very positive message from KP. We do not want sports continue to suffer,” Shah said, underscoring why the sporting event was so important to organise despite security threats.

Bahr-e-Karam, a former athlete turned technical official, acknowledges the damage done by militancy to sports in Pakistan. But he seemed relieved the games were finally taking place after two years of delay.

Feeling the pressure

“Overall performance is getting better,” Karam said. “However, performing in such a tense situation is quite difficult.”

Pakistan’s fastest woman, Naseem Hameed, feels the pressure.

“The fear of a bomb blast is always on the mind of players,” she told Central Asia Online after winning the 100m dash to add another gold medal to the Army's imposing total. “It does not bode well that in our own country we are playing under the shadow of security concerns,” said Naseem, who won a gold medal at the South Asian Games in India early this year.

Athletes competing in the games represent various Pakistani provinces and regions, as well as the armed forces and government agencies. Events include team sports such as football, baseball; athletics; martial arts; court games and others. Most events are taking place in Peshawar, with taekwondo, female swimming, football and shooting competitions in Islamabad, rowing in Khanpur Lake, hockey in Abbottabad and baseball in Mardan.

Among the provinces, Sindh had won 24 medals as of December 28, followed by Punjab (11), Baluchistan (five) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (six).