Singapore worried over security for Pakistan Olympic game

KARACHI, Feb 2 (Reuters) Singapore have expressed their concerns over their security for an Olympic Games qualifying match in Pakistan later this month, an official of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) said today.

The official said the Singapore FA had written to FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) about their worries ahead of the first qualifying round game.

''Yes they have expressed concerns. Parents of some of the players want to know what security arrangements and assurances we have for the match,'' Major Farooq Mir, director of the PFF told Reuters.

He said the match originally scheduled in Peshawar had been shifted to Lahore because of logistical problems with the stadium.

Peshawar, the capital city of the North West Frontier Province, was the scene of a suicide bombing last week in which 14 people were killed including the city police chief.

International cricket teams touring Pakistan in the last few years have also avoided playing in Peshawar.

Farooq said that Pakistan was waiting for word from FIFA and AFC on the match now going ahead in Lahore.

''So far the qualifying match is scheduled for Feb.14 in Lahore but we are waiting,'' he said.

REUTERS SAM PM1535