Pakistan to feature in Takhti Cup Wrestling

KARACHI: Pakistan is set to field its ten-member wrestling squad in the Takhti Cup which will be held at Mahshar, Iran’s Khuzestan province, from February 8-10.

“We have got an invitation for the Takhti Cup and are going to field our team in that,” Pakistan Wrestling Federation’s (PWF) secretary Arshad Sattar told ‘The News’ on Thursday.Arshad said that Iran Wrestling Federation would sponsor Pakistan’s squad by giving it air-fare and accommodation for the purpose.

He said that those ten wrestlers are being sent to Iran who had grabbed gold medals in the last National Championship in Faisalabad.“There is only one change in the list as in the 75kg injured Abdul Rehman has been replaced by Asad Butt,” Arshad informed.

Arshad also revealed that PWF wants its side to stay at Iran for one month after the Takhti Cup to train for the Commonwealth Games which will be held at the Gold Coast, Australia, from April 4-15.

“We are negotiating the plan with Iran Wrestling Federation. We have requested them that our team would stay there for one month after the Takhti Cup and therefore should be accommodated,” the official revealed.

He said that PWF had already sent Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) a budget of Rs3.5 million for the Iran’s training tour and the Board has been requested to also approve Rs3000 daily food allowance per wrestler during stay in Iran.

“I am going to meet a senior official of the Board tomorrow at Lahore and hopefully some breakthrough will be made in the same direction,” Arshad said.He also revealed that the PWF will also hold trials on January 30 for picking grapplers for the Commonwealth Games.

“We will pick six fighters for the Australia event. Japan-based Haroon Abid also will come to attend the trials. If he is able to beat his opponent in the 97 kilogramme then he will be sent back to Tokyo and will be invited to Australia from there for the Commonwealth Games,” Arshad said.

He said that PWF is also going to hold National Belt Wrestling Championship in Lahore on Saturday (tomorrow).“It would be a one-day event and the managers meeting for that will be held tomorrow. You know belt wrestling is also now part of the Asian Games and we are working on that direction,” Arshad conceded.