With relations between India and Pakistan on an upward curve, the Indian Olympic Association said on Friday it will send a 400-member contingent for the South Asian Federation Games, beginning in Islamabad next month.
"India will participate in all the 15 disciplines of the SAF Games, which will be held from March 29 to April 7," IOA president Suresh Kalmadi told reporters in Delhi.
Besides India, athletes from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan will participate in the nine-day event.
The last three SAF Games were cancelled due to security concerns after the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.
Competition will be held in 15 disciplines -- athletics, boxing, badminton, football, kabaddi, karate, rowing, shooting, squash, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, volleyball, weightlifting and wrestling.
Kalmadi said an Indian delegation had visited Pakistan in January to discuss the security arrangements and also held talks with the Pakistan Olympic Association on organising the first Punjab Games in India.
"The Punjab Games will be held from December 5-11 and will have 10 disciplines," he said.
