LAHORE - The 41st National Athletics Championships (Men & Women) will be held from March 13 to 15 here at the Punjab Stadium under the auspices of Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) All the affiliated units of AFP are participating the events, which will start at 9.30 am. The formal opening ceremony will take place on the same day at 3.30 pm. Syed Amir Hamza Gillani, Director General Pakistan Sports Board will be the chief guest and will perform the inauguration ceremony. It is significant to mention that he is former national champion in shot put and has participated in international athletics competitions. Gillani is taking keen interest in the development and promotion of youth athletics in the country. It was due to his efforts that athletics is being given special attention both in technical & financial terms, said an official of the AFP. He said that the AFP offers its profound thanks to Director General Pakistan Sports Board for sparing time to open the championships and his valuable contribution to include athletics among the disciplines having special support by the Ministry of Sports. Athletes will be selected on the basis of their performance during the said Championships for the national athletics camp in connection with preparation of Pakistan athletics team for the 11th South Asian Games 2009 at Dhaka (Bangladesh). The national athletics camp will start at Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad under the supervision of expert Coaches w.e.f 01-04-2009.