West Asian Games Rescheduled for April

The Olympic Council of Asia has rescheduled the West Asian Games, now to be held in Kuwait from April 3-12.

World Bank says Nigerian African Games not a Top Priority

Falling oil prices have adversely affected Nigeria's economy recently and the World Bank has raised concerns over the amount of money being spent (N53 billion) on the construction of the new National Stadium complex to be used for the All-African Games. The amount includes the cost of the main stadium complex, a sports hall, the entire games village and a stadium helipad to be used for the emergency evacuation of athletes, VIPs and spectators if necessary.

The World Bank has stated that the amount is exorbitant and the money should be used to address the massive poverty and other social crises in the country. The World Bank does not see the games as a "top priority." The Nigerian government has responded that the games will bring a "stronger sense of national unity" to Nigeria and the capital city of Abuja, and the government must consider economic, social and political criteria in its decisions.

South Asian Federation Games Postponed a Second Time

Pakistani organizing committee chairman General Arif Hassan has announced the 9th South Asian Federation (SAF) Games will not be held in March-April of this year because of continuing border tensions with India. "It's not the right time to organize the biennial games in Pakistan because of the tensions," he said. "I am sure that the Games will be held in Pakistan when the situation improves at the border."

The Games were originally scheduled for October 6-15, 2001, but rescheduled to March-April 2002 after the terror attacks on the United States.

Hassan said that SAF Games officials would meet in Pakistan soon to set a new date, and the postponements would cost Pakistan 30-40 million rupees (500,00-667,000 dollars).

Pan American Games will be financed

In the Dominican Republic, President Hipolito Mejia dismissed concerns over the possible financial burden of the Pan Am Games. According to the President, the games are expected to cost RD$1.6 billion describing the money as "pennies compared to some other things that the government has to confront." "There will be money when this is required (by the Organizing Committee) for the works," said the President.

Uganda will walk to the Commonwealth Games if necessary

Uganda Olympic Committee boss Maj. General Francis Nyangweso has said that Uganda will show up at the Manchester 2002 Commonwealth Games, even if it means walking there.

"Whether there's money or not Uganda shall attend the Commonwealth games in Manchester," Nyangweso said. "It is an obligation for our nation to send a team to the games. It is where we meet other member states," Uganda will enter teams in athletics, boxing, swimming, shooting and weightlifting. UOC's budget for the games is 400m Ugandan shillings.

African Military Games appeal for cash

Col. Frank Mulu, Executive Secretary East and Central Africa Liaison Office (ECALO) in Nairobi, Kenya has asked the general public to support the All Africa Military Games financially. 200 million Kenyan shillings are needed to pay for the games.

44 African countries are expected to compete in the two week long event in 11 sports, to be held in Nairobi April 14-27.

Iran in running for 2007 Asian Winter Games 

Iran is bidding to host the Asian Winter Games in 2007. Representatives of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) will visit Iran soon to inspect facilities.