The Zone 5 qualifying campaign for the 2003 All Africa Games is in tatters after the withdrawal of at least three teams.

Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda should be in Egypt to play in a regional qualifying tournament, which is due to begin on Thursday.

But they have pulled out saying the Egyptian FA has failed to keep its promise to pay their expenses.

Uganda FA President Dennis Obua said Egypt had offered to pay for the teams' return air-tickets, accommodation and meals, but that they were now back-tracking.

The Ugandans said that a letter from the Egyptian FA stated that, "according to the regulations in this Cup, the visiting sides have to take care of their costs".

The usual format of the qualifiers is to play home and away legs, but this time Egypt offered to host a tournament instead.

Kenya's Football Federation secretary Hussein Swaleh said Egypt had requested the changes to the qualifying system, and therefore were committed to paying the expenses.

But it was not clear whether Kenya would continue to take part, and be the only team to travel to Egypt, if they had to pay for themselves.

Obua said he had appealed to Caf, but that it had backed the Egyptians.

"It is hypocrisy," he said. " We are pulling out in protest. Egypt is known for playing all types of tricks in order to qualify for international tournaments. Let Egypt qualify alone."