Pak weightlifters denied accreditation for 3rd Asian Youth Games

KARACHI: Pakistan’s weightlifters Furqan Ahmed and Haider Shakeel have not been given accreditation for participation in the 3rd Asian Youth Games scheduled in Bahrain this month. 

“It is unfortunate that the athletes who have potential to win at least two medals and their coach have been denied accreditation and their names are not included in the Pakistani contingent proceeding for the games as announced by Pakistan Sports Board, said member Interim Committee on Pakistan Weightlifting Federation Dr. Hafiz Zafar lqbal while talking to ‘The News’.

He added that Director General PSB took personal interest and made efforts to get accreditation for the weightlifters while President Pakistan Olympics Association also played his role in this regard.

But, he added, it was conveyed to the Interim Committee that the whereabouts information of the weightlifters was not submitted with the organisers of the Asian Youth Games before the deadline of July 26, 2025, as required under IWF Anti-doping Rules (ADR).

“It is presumed that Article 5.5.16 of the IWF 2025 ADR was attracted in this case. I believe this is a matter of misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the relevant ADR, as the needful had already been done, much before the deadline,” said Dr Zafar, adding that Furqan Ahmad is registered with ADAMS (ADAMS ID: AHFUMA90266) since September 4, 2023, and this fact may be verified from International Testing Agency.

“We would go for appeal under Article 34.3 of the OCA Constitution, which may enable the two weightlifting athletes or at least Furqan Ahmad to participate in the games and win medal(s) for Pakistan.

“We request the President POA to pursue this issue in the individual and collective interest of the sports (as envisaged in Article 37.1 of the OCA Constitution) and for the sake of the country,” said Dr Zafar.