British Deputy High Commissioner, Alison Blake, sent her best wishes to the Pakistani athletes as they prepare to depart to the UK to compete in the Commonwealth Games this summer. The participating Pakistani athletes from across the country came to Lahore today to provide their biometric data for the UK visas.
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will take place from 23 July to 3 August. Around 6,500 athletes from 70 countries will compete during the Games which will be a most memorable event.
Sending her best wishes, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Alison Blake said:
This is Commonwealth Week and the theme for this year, ‘Team Commonwealth,’ reflects the spirit of friendship and the drive towards achieving shared goals and values across Commonwealth. As two Commonwealth countries, Pakistan and the UK share so many strong connections and sports is one of them.
I wish the Pakistani athletes the very best of luck as they will proudly represent their nation at the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow this July. It is a pleasure to host the Pakistani teams, coaches and supporting staff in Lahore. The British High Commission worked very closely with many of them in the run up to London Olympic 2012 Games. Glasgow will be the stage for a fantastic summer of sport, as well as a wonderful range of cultural and arts events for everyone. I wish all the Pakistani athletes good luck as they prepare for Glasgow 2014.
Speaking on the occasion, President of Pakistan Olympic Association, Lt. Gen. (R) Syed Arif Hasan said:
I am eagerly looking forward to the start of the 20th Commonwealth games at Glasgow as it not only promises thrilling competition, it also provides opportunity for our athletes from across Pakistan to be part of one of the world’s largest multi-sport event.
With the countdown already started, the British High Commission’s endeavour to celebrate the occasion, as Pakistani players prepare to get their visas and gear up for their travel to the UK, would help generate more interest around the Games.
• For more information on Commonwealth Games, click here.
Contact: Press Attaché, British High Commission, Islamabad; tel. 051 201 2884