Asian Games: ‘We can win gold medal only in ju-jitsu’

KARACHI: Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation (PJJF) on Friday claimed that ju-jitsu is the only discipline in which the country has chance of a gold medal in the Asian Games, which are to be held in Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2.

“Yes, I can say that we have a chance to win gold. I firmly believe that we will get the maximum number of medals,” the PJJF president Khalil Ahmed told ‘The News’ in an interview.

He said that the entries had already been sent. He added that 14 fighters would represent Pakistan in the Asiad.He said that ju-jitsu camp had been operational in Lahore but he learnt the other day that Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had stopped this and a couple of camps of other sports disciplines in Punjab and a few in Islamabad due to funding issue.

“It’s not good. It breaks momentum of the players. It’s unfortunate,” Khalil said. To a query about the actual strength and international experience of his expected touring party for Asian Games, he said that it was part of the plan and he would not disclose such details at this stage.

“It’s a bit too early,” he was quick to add. Ju-jitsu will make its Asian Games debut in Indonesia. Meanwhile, ‘The News’ learnt that men’s duo show and some other events are not part of the Asian Games ju-jitsu competitions which reduces Pakistan’s medal chances as the country does not have quality players in newaza. But Khalil retorted, “Leave it. Whatever the events are I say we have the capability to win medals.”

He claimed that since 2009 Pakistan have never returned empty-handed from any Asian-level competitions. Khalil was not happy with the way the PJJF was treated by Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for its alleged withdrawal from a commitment to back the ju-jitsu federation in hiring the services of a foreign coach.

“The PSB had told us to hire a foreign coach, promising to pay him. When we hired a Brazilian coach the PSB told us that it had no money and could not support PJJF. It embarrassed us,” Khalil said.

He confirmed Pakistan’s participation in the Asian Championships to be held in Kazakhstan in July.“Yes, we plan to field our fighters. But how many we send depends on the budget,” Khalil said.

“We have applied for NOC for the purpose. It will be a good exposure for the fighters ahead of the Asian Games,” he said.A source told ‘The News’ that a seven-member Pakistan squad had been denied France visas for featuring in Grand Slam recently. Khalil said visa was not denied but the PJJF did not receive the NOC. “We had not got NOC for that. We missed three major events due to late issuance of NOC and it’s a big problem,” he said.

Although the strength of Pakistan’s contingent in the Asian Games is yet to be finalised, it is expected that the country would take part in 28 or 29 disciplines. In the last Asian Games in Incheon in 2014, Pakistan claimed gold in women’s cricket and a bronze each in boxing, kabaddi and wushu.