Sources in the SOA said that the preparations would be in full swing after London Olympics 2012. But the initial preparations have been made because beach games will be held in the country for the first time, informed sources said.

 

The beach games have been allotted to SOA by Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) who will monitor and assist the provincial body. It was also learnt that SOA has identified the beach near Clifton, Karachi, for the games.

 

Secretary SOA Ahmed Ali Rajput confirmed that Sea View would be the venue for the games. He further said that the organising committee would be formed after consultation with POA after Ramadan, and other details would be announced.

 

The SOA secretary also confirmed that he had visited the Sea View area to identify the place for the games.

 

He added that SOA would organise a meeting to be chaired by its president Dr Muhammad Ali Shah to review the preparation and arrangements of the games in a befitting manner. And then a plan would be sent to POA for final approval.

 

President Pakistan Olympic Association Lt Gen (retd) Arif Hasan has said that POA has plans to organise South Asian Beach Games and Asian Beach Games. At least eight games are likely to be included in the first national beach games, including beach volleyball, handball, kabaddi, football and wrestling.

 

Dr Shah, Ahmed Ali and one other person recently attended the Asian Beach Games in China to get firsthand knowledge about the management of these games, inspected venues and met officials.