UAE-based black belt brothers ready to represent Pakistan in Tashkent

SHARJAH: Two Taekwondo black-belt brothers Ammar Ashfaq and Sinan Ashfaq from Pakistan living in the Emirate of Sharjah are polishing their skills and technique at the Sharjah Sports Club to represent Pakistan in the First WTF President’s Cup to be held in Tashkent from August 11 to 13.

During the training sessions, the UAE Taekwondo national Captain Abdullah and coach told The News that the international competitions specially grade 2 contests were definitely not a piece of cake and required aggressive training and temperament to achieve any position.

In October 2016, Ammar and Sinan went to Pakistan to participate in the Pakistan Junior National Championships held in Islamabad where Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) took a notice of the potential of both the brothers.

“It is very proud moment for us as we will contest under our national flag,” Ammar Ashfaq and Sinan Ashfaq stated with enthusiasm and energy even after two hours of continuous practice at the club.

They said that representing the country and getting the experience would be beneficial for the future but we would try our best and work hard to get a medal in Tashkent. The enthusiasm of Taekwondo for the two brothers started almost 7 years back when they were introduced to Zeyad Hammad Abu Mizher; Jordanian Taekwondo coach. Since then Ammar Ashfaq and Sinan Ashfaq have been working hard to achieve recognition in the game and meanwhile the struggle and efforts of bothers and proper guidance of the coach Zeyad Hammad helped them to receive black-belt in taekwondo.

Coach Zeyad Hammad, who has been training students since 1984 in UAE, was also delighted on the success of Ammar and Sinan, proudly stated to The News, “I am very happy to see Ammar and Sinan are going to participate in international contest.” Ammar and Sinan will depart with their father Ashfaq Ahmed and another coach Nadir Ali from Dubai to Tashkent on August 8. The weigh-in will be held on August 10 followed by the competition over the following two days.

Nadir Ali, who is also from Pakistan, has been coaching both the boys in different clubs in UAE. He expressed a hope that Ammar and Sinan can get positive results for their homeland but the competition would not be easy for them. Although, he observed that the experience would be remarkable and helpful for the boys in future.

The First World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) President's Cup is being organised by the Uzbekistan Taekwondo Association (UTA) with sanction from the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), the inaugural edition of the competition will bring together nearly 1,000 competitors from across the world. The contest will be held over three days and in three weight divisions, namely Cadet, Junior and Senior.

Normally, it is observed that kids from Pakistan who grow up in the emirates keep away from the sports but Ammar and Sinan have proved it wrong. It is due to not only their enthusiasm and fondness of the sports but the guidance and effort of the parents also involved in the success.

Ashfaq Ahmed, father of the boys, said that it was dream come true after the selection of his sons in the national squad. He advised all the parents living abroad especially in UAE to allow their children to pursue sports actively as this definitely has an impact on their entire upbringing and education.