Wushu players’ training for Asian Games starts in August

KARACHI: Pakistan Wushu Federation (PWF) plans to launch its training camp in August this year in Lahore for the Asian Games which are slated to be held in Palembang, Indonesia, from August 18 to September 2, 2018.

“We will put around 20 boys, four each in five weight categories, in the camp,” PWF President Malik Iftikhar told ‘The News’ on Wednesday in an interview.

“Besides those in the mainstream, there are a few boys on our radar who will be put in the camp. I am confident that things will go in the right direction,” Malik added.

Pakistan won bronze medal on its debut in the Asiad through Syed Maratab Ali Shah in the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

In the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, Ijaz Ahmed secured silver. In the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, Pakistan completed hat-trick of medals when Maratab claimed bronze.

Malik said that he did not need the support of any body. He added that he owned the playing facility and hostel in Lahore which would meet training demands of his athletes. “We have a cemented platform over which a new mat, imported from China, has been laid. We have all the required equipment,” Malik added.

Pakistan clinched three bronze medals in wushu in the Islamic Games held in Baku last month.

A couple of players who were expected to secure gold medals faced biased treatment from the referees in the semi-finals. The squad was playing without any official in Baku.

Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had not issued NOC to officials who were to accompany the squad.

In Baku, Pakistani players played for the first time under new rules. Around 70 percent of the rules were changed last year.

“I am hopeful that the boys will master the new rules and live up to the expectations in the Asiad. I am happy that in Baku under new rules our players clicked well. They were feeling easy. Those boys who were in some trouble did not turn up for trials,” Malik said.

He said that foreign training ahead of the Asiad is of immense importance. “We plan to send our cream to China or Iran, the two best destinations for foreign training. By going abroad, the players learn to fight many types of players. We are determined to manage such tours for our players,” Malik added.

“Ahead of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, we had sent Ijaz for one-month training to China and it made the difference as he snared silver,” he said.