Saadi seeks govt assistance

PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s highly experienced Toronto-based karateka and former Asian champion Saadi Abbas on Thursday said if the government meets his travelling, boarding and training expenditures then he is confident of winning medals in the events in the next few months.

“You know Asian Championship and Commonwealth Karate Championship are scheduled for this September. I will need around Rs2million for that and it would be of great help if Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and IPC Ministry backed me for this. I am more than confident to win medals in these events as you know I have already won medals in these events,” Saadi told The News from Toronto.

Saddi is a two-time Commonwealth Championship gold medallist, former Asian champion and two-time Asian bronze medallist. He is also a former US Open champion and has won many medals in other events like South Asian Games and Islamic Games.

Last year he was poised to win a medal in the Asian Games but injury forced him to stay away. “I am training hard and am in good shape but you know if you have resources you can plan accordingly. If the government gives me Rs2 million then before going to China for the Asian Championship I will plan for a week or ten days training camp in Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei or any other Asian nation which will help me to focus,” Saadi said.

Hangzhou will host the Asian Championship from September 20-22 with Dhaka to organise the Commonwealth Karate Championship from September 27-29. If Saadi is able to feature in these events then it will help him also in the 6th Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games which will begin in Thailand from November 21. And then in early February Pakistan will host the 14th South Asian Games in Islamabad and Lahore.

So the next few months are action-packed and Saadi has a vital chance to sweep medals for the nation. “You know I have selflessly served the nation for the last so many years without getting anything in return and it is crystal clear and I eagerly want to win a few more medals and the next few months are important,” Saadi said.

He revealed that he would field in the coming events in -84kg. “I will play in -84kg as it will help me. I had also registered in -84kg for the Hangzhou Asian Games which unfortunately I could not play,” Saadi said. His previous weight category was -75kg.

Saadi has been the most decorated fighter of Pakistan in terms of his achievements both at the national and international level. But like some other athletes he was never rewarded for his illustrious services for the country. He mostly lived in the UAE, earned money and spent on his training and participation in international events and that helped the nation a lot.

For Tokyo Olympics too he spent mostly from his own purse on training and participation in Olympics Qualifiers. He had come very close to earning an Olympic seat but he missed a few events in the end due to financial issues which obstructed his way.

He wanted to win his maiden medal in the Asian Games last year but the injury forced him to skip that. “It has been a long journey and it was a passion for me and still I love this game and am proud of my achievements although these were not so much acknowledged back home,” Saadi said.