Pakistan pulls out

NEW DELHI, FEB 1. Pakistan has pulled out of the third SAARC golf championship, making the three-day event, starting at the Delhi Golf Club on Friday, a five-team affair.

The last-minute withdrawal by Pakistan was not totally unexpected. There was no word from the team till last night, but the organisers kept up the hope based on the assumption that golfing ties between the two countries, at the worst of times, had rarely been affected.

The fight for the championship has to be between India and Sri Lanka, as it had been the past two occasions. ``We have the mental edge over the Sri Lankans, what with us having beaten them in two previous finals,'' said Rahil Gangjee, India's top- ranked amateur.

``We are thirsty for a win. Losing one final is bad enough, but two gets pretty depressing,'' said Anura Rohana, the No 1. Sri Lankan. ``We are determined to win.''

The championship concludes on Sunday with the final to be played on a match-play format after the first two days are devoted to stroke-play. On the final day there will also be a SAARC Friendship Cup event also involving the local amateurs.

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Section  : Sport
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