New Delhi: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) on Monday asked the government to reconsider its decision not to participate in next month's South Asian Federation Games in Islamabad.

Talking to reporters, IOA president Suresh Kalmadi said preparations were in the final phase for sending a 350-member contingent to the SAF Games beginning March 29.

"We are disappointed that the government has written to us that we can't participate in the SAF Games when we were in the process of finalising the entries. We were not taken into confidence," Kalmadi said.

"If our squash team can participate in the Asian Junior tournament last week, why can't we participate in the SAF Games?" Kalmadi asked.

He said the government had allowed a delegation to participate in the SAF executive committee meeting at Islamabad last March, where the dates were decided unanimously.

"That was when the troops of both the countries were eyeball to eyeball. It's a surprise now that the troops have been pulled back," he said.

"It is not just India versus Pakistan, it's the games of the whole region, of which India is the leader," Kalmadi said.

The government on Saturday decided to pull out of the Games citing threats from al- Qaida and Taleban operating from that country. The decision was taken by the External Affairs Ministry in consultation with the Sports Ministry.

PTI