Pak wrestling side leaves for South Africa

KARACHI: A 12-member Pakistan wrestling side left for South Africa on Wednesday to feature in the Commonwealth Wrestling Championship to be held in Johannesburg from December 15-17.

“Yes, the squad left today and will be in South Africa at 11:30pm tonight,” Pakistan Wrestling Federation’s (PWF) secretary Arshad Sattar told ‘The News’ on Wednesday. He hoped that his brigade would win at least a couple of gold medals in the competitions. “I am very much confident that we will win at least two gold medals,” Arshad said.

There are nine wrestlers and three officials in the touring party which will return on December 19 after taking part in the event carrying slots of both free-style and Greco-Roman style wrestling.

The country’s seasoned grappler and the 2010 Commonwealth Games gold medallist Mohammad Inam will take part only in freestyle competitions. The others will compete in both freestyle and Greco-Roman style competitions.

On Thursday (today), there will be weigh-in for Greco-Roman style competitions. The event will be held on Friday (tomorrow). The weigh-in for freestyle will be held on Saturday and the event on Sunday.Every nation has been allowed to field maximum two grapplers each in ten weights.

Pakistan sent only nine because of financial issues as the tour will cost the authorities a sum of Rs2.2 million, much higher than what has been given by the government for the purpose.Squad: Mohammad Bilal (57kg), Abdul Wahab (61kg), Mudassir Hussain (65kg), Ghulam Ghaus (70kg), Abdul Rehman (74kg), Umair Ahmed (86kg), Mohammad Inam (92kg), Tayyab Hussain (97kg), Ahmed (125kg). Officials: Mohammad Riaz (coach), Fayyaz-ul-Haq (manager), Khalid Butt (referee).