CWG: Pak weightlifters decide against boycott

New Delhi: Pakistan averted a boycott by its weightlifting team at the Commonwealth Games after an official took the honour of carrying the flag into the opening ceremony instead of the lifter who had been nominated.

Shujauddin Malik, the 2006 gold medalist, was supposed to lead Pakistan into Sunday night's pageant, but provincial sports minister Dr. Mohammad Ali Shah reversed the decision at the last minute.

Team manager Rashid Mehmood says Shah told Malik it was chief-de-mission's right to lead the contingent.

Mehmood said the weightlifters considered withdrawing until Pakistan Olympic Association chief Arif Hasan assured them Shah would be sanctioned.

"We have decided to compete just because we are representing our country."