The Indian Olympic Association has expressed happiness at the Indian government's decision to clear Pakistan's participation in next month's Afro-Asian Games, to be held in Hyderabad.

IOA president and working chairman of the Afro-Asian Games organizing committee Suresh Kalmadi and IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh said the decision is very significant towards normalization of relations between the two countries.

"After a long time a Pakistani team will come to India," Kalmadi said.

The IOA was highly appreciative of Pakistan's support to India's bid for 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Kalmadi and Randhir Singh are going to Lahore on September 18 to participate in a meeting for the South Asian Federation Games, which are slated to be held in Pakistan in March 2004. They expressed hope that the Indian government will allow the Indian contingent to participate in the Games.

Kalmadi and Randhir Singh were in Hyderabad to attend a meeting of various sub-committees of the Afro-Asian Games, which will be held from October 24 to November 1.

The IOA officials recalled that when India presented its Commonwealth Games bid in London, Pakistan openly supported it, saying the Games should be held in the subcontinent this time.

"In the international arena we have always been together. Pakistan is supporting India's bid for the Commonwealth in every international forum," Kalmadi said.

Referring to the permission to Pakistan to participate in the Afro-Asian Games, Kalmadi said he always held the view that through sports a small window should always be open for the two countries whenever there is high tension between them.

Randhir Singh , who is also secretary general of the Asian Olympic Council, said, "Relations between the Olympic Committees of India and Pakistan are so strong that the world is surprised that despite political differences we are one in sport. This is a uniting factor for our youth."

He also expressed hope that "whenever India stakes claim for hosting Olympics 2016 or 2020, Pakistan will support us".

He expressed confidence that India would  bag the 2010 Commonwealth Games when the bid is decided in Jamaica on November 13.

"If we are able to conduct the Afro Asian Games successfully and smoothly, we will get the Commonwealth Games," he pointed out.

Kalmadi said Afghanistan and Timor will be among the 99 countries participating in the Afro-Asian Games. There are strong possibilities of an Iraqi contingent also participating in the Games, headded.