Fighters’ preparations on track, says PWF chief

KARACHI: A senior official of the Pakistan Wushu Federation (PWF) on Tuesday said that the impressive performance of national fighters in the recently concluded 1st Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Wushu Kungfu Championship in China shows that the preparation for the 18th Asian Games is quite good.

“It was a real test for our budding fighters and the way they showed resolve in China’s event by picking two silvers is a clear indication that our homework for the Asian Games is fairly good,” PWF President Malik Iftikhar told ‘The News’ from Lahore.

“The boys needed such a test and I think the way they played in China against tough fighters has brightened our medal chances in the Asian Games,” Malik said.

Giving details of the SCO event held in Chongqing from May 17-19, Malik said Maaz Khan and Zahoor Ahmed lost their finals to Chinese fighters after a superb showing throughout.

“Maaz had qualified for the -75kg final after knocking out an Indian player in the semi-finals. In the final, Maaz won the first round. But in the second round he got injured,” Malik said.

“Zahoor conceded his -52kg final to his Chinese opponent 19-20. He also defeated an Indian fighter in the semi-finals.

“Abdul Latif lost his quarter-final against a Chinese fighter in the -65kg categor. But Latif played really well.”

Malik said after a few days of rest these fighters have once again been called up to resume their camp in Lahore.

The PWF has been running the camp for the Asian Games in Lahore. Malik Iftikhar is meeting the expenses. The Pakistan Sports Board is yet to give camp to the PWF.

The encouraging news for Pakistan is that the country’s seasoned fighter and two-time Asian Games medallist Syed Maratab Ali Shah will also be part of the country’s wushu squad.

“Maratab is fit and is going for the Asian Games. Our combination this time is much stronger,” Malik said.

The Kasur-born Maratab has won bronze medals in 2006 and 2014 Asian Games.

The PWF plans to send seven men and five women to the Asian Games and Malik wants his squad to undergo training in Iran.