PKF plans to send top karatekas abroad for training

KARACHI: Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) plans to send its top karatekas either to Iran or Turkey in a bid to prepare them for the Asian Games slated to be held in Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2.

“Our target is either to send our leading fighters to Iran or Turkey. Turkey will be a bit expensive but they have some good fighters and that will help more our boys to prepare for Asian Games,” PKF chairman Mohammad Jehangir told The News in an interview.

National karate camp, carrying 15 men and 15 women, has been in operation in Lahore for the last two months for the quadrennial event. In the Asian Games the world’s best karatekas appear and make it a world level event.

Although chances are not that bright that Pakistan will be able to reach to the victory podium in any weight but anything can be expected from the country’s premier fighter Saadi Abbas, who has been showing his class in the world’s major events these days.

Saadi, who mostly has played in Dubai, has recently finished tenth out of 100 fighters in his weight category in 3-karate league. However he could not feature in the Morocco Premier League recently due to financial issues.

Saadi’s current world ranking is 46 and if he is backed in his mission to feature in maximum international events he has the chance to qualify even to 2020 Olympics.

Saadi plays in the -75kg kumite event. Saadi is expected to join the national camp for the Asian Gamesin the next few days.

“Saadi will inform us in a couple of days about his intent to join the camp,” Jehangir said. Saadi recently clinched gold in Arab League, according to Jehangir.

Saadi has been one time gold medallist and two times bronze medallist of the Asian Championships. And again in July this year he is expected to pull another medal when Pakistan will take part in the Asian Championship in Jordon. “Believe me Saadi has the chance in Asian Games. He is a wonderful fighter. He has decent record in Asian Championships but Asian Games has its own pressure and let’s see how Saadi will play this time in Indonesia,” Jehangir said.

Saadi also has to his credit two gold in the Commonwealth Championships and a gold in the US Open.In the Asian Games PKF intends to field six male and six female fighters. But it all will depend on the consent of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) which will sponsor Pakistan’s contingent for the continent’s biggest showpiece.