India hopeful of Pakistans participation in 4th World Military Games

Army Chief General JJ Singh today expressed hope that Pakistan would participate in the Fourth World Military Games to be held in the twin city of Hyderabad-Secunderabad from October 14 to 21.

By Vikram Vishal

Hyderabad, July 8 : Army Chief General JJ Singh today expressed hope that Pakistan would participate in the Fourth World Military Games to be held in the twin city of Hyderabad-Secunderabad from October 14 to 21.

Addressing a press conference after flagging off a promotional car rally, General Singh said that though Pakistan has not yet confirmed its participation, it is expected to do it in few days.

"It is not yet confirmed whether Pakistan will be participating, but they have been invited, and we are hopeful that their participation would be confirmed in next few days," he said.

So far, out of 127 members of the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) or International Military Sports Council, 78 countries have confirmed their participation and around 5100 sportsmen are going to participate in this year's games. Earlier this morning, Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju flagged off the 16-day long "Chalo Hyderabad Rally" to mark the 100 days to the games, which is being termed as the second biggest sporting event after the Olympics.

The rally has been organised with the purpose to generate public interest in the mega event, interact with ex servicemen and families of serving soldiers of southern states, and carry the theme of the games 'Friendship through sports'.

The rally will travel through the erstwhile capital, Kurnool via Anantapur, Giddalur, Cuddapah, Tirupati (Seven Hills), Nellore, Guntur, Amarawati, Vijaywada, along the coastal belt, Bhadrachalan, Warangal, Karimnagar, Basara, Nizamabad, and return back to the Twin Cities on July 23.

Another rally from Trivandrum will join the main rally at Cuddapah.

It will travel through the four southern states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

It will cover a distance of 2176 kilometres, meandering through coastal Andhra, Telangana and Rayalseema, touching all 23 districts, traversing the Eastern Ghat ranges, Deccan plateau, and astride Krishna and Godawari rivers apart from 1100 kms in three other states. The stage for the fourth edition of the games seems to be all set, with the organisers have been able to score points over the facilities and infrastructure front as the venues that would host various disciplines of the games are already in place.

The athletics stadium at the Gachibawli Complex with a seating capacity of 27000 will be hosting the opening and the closing ceremonies of the games.

A total of 13 disciplines will be held here, with hockey and kabaddi being scrapped due to "lack of participation". However, these two sports will be organised only for demonstration.

Polo will be held as an exhibition sport.

Out of the 13 events, three will be military specific, namely parachuting, shooting and pentathlon.

ANI