Dr Abdul Wahid Soomro (MNA Pakistan Peoples Party)

Speaking at the squad’s departure from Lahore, Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) president Lt Gen Arif Hasan said the contingent’s hopes for winning medals in some of the disciplines are high after undergoing satisfactory pre-tournament preparations.

Earlier, giving a quick response to Pakistan’s ultimatum of 24 hours, the organisers of the 19th Commonwealth Games removed all objections regarding the accommodation, as the first batch of the Pakistan contingent comprising 54 athletes and officials left via the Allama Iqbal Airport in Lahore.

“There is a remarkable improvement in the accommodation of the Pakistan athletes in the official village of the games. Our four-member delegation has taken charge of the accommodation,” the POA president told Dawn on Tuesday.

“The arrangements were extremely poor until Monday, but a quick action from the delegation and fine response from the organisers made departure of the contingent possible,” he said.

“Our shooters, tennis players and some officials will leave for New Delhi on October 2,” he said.

Arif said the shooters and tennis players wanted to go in the second phase because their events would start in later stages, giving them more time to practice at home.

Pakistan has decided to compete in hockey, squash, tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, shooting and boxing. In the last edition held in Melbourne, Australia, Pakistan grabbed five medals (one gold, three silver and one bronze).

Pakistan’s hockey team is included in Pool A, along with Australia, Malaysia, India and Scotland. Pakistan will play their first Hockey match on October 5, against world champions Australia.

A four-member delegation is already in India to ensure the best arrangements for the Pakistan team.