KARACHI: Wushu is the potential sports discipline of Pakistan in which the country has captured medals in the last three successive Asian Games.
But a senior official of the Pakistan Wushu Federation (PWF) said that the state has not so far backed federation in its bid to prepare a solid lot for the Asian Games pencilled in for August 18 to September 2 in Indonesia.
“We are yet to get any assistance from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) regarding our support in terms of camp or foreign exposure to our fighters aiming to prepare for the Asian Games,” a PWF official told ‘The News’ on Thursday.
“We have a fighting lot and have focused on a gold medal in the Asiad. But if the fighters are not given a tour of Iran or China then it will dent Pakistan’s chances in the Asian Games,” the official said.
“Look at India, their fighters are in Beijing and will get training there till the Games. Pakistan have great potential but if you are unable to give to your fighters quality training and exposure how you could expect medals from them in the most competitive event,” the official questioned.
The PWF held its camp for the last four months in Lahore on its own resources. After breaking it for few days due to recently held National Championship in Lahore, the federation intends to resume it in Ramazan in which night training will be conducted. The PWF had asked PSB for training tour of Iran but the board has not responded the federation so far.
It has also been learnt that for the last five years the PSB has not given the PWF a single penny from its annual grant, which has also added to its misery. Pakistan had also claimed three bronze in wushu in the Islamic Games in Baku last year. The five fighters had been fielded without any official that had raised many eyebrows. Pakistan are expected to field seven male and five female fighters in the Asiad.
Most of the fighters in the camp are young and need international exposure with the exception of Maaz Khan who is a seasoned fighter, having represented Pakistan in many international events.
In the National Championship held in Lahore recently WAPDA’s Amir tasted an upset defeat at the hands of Saddam of Army in the 65kg final. But the PWF official said that selection for the Asian Games would be made on the basis of trials to be conducted during the camp.
Syed Maratab Ali Shah claimed bronze medal in the 70kg men’s sansho in the 2006 Doha Asian Games. In the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games Ijaz Ahmed picked silver in 75kg while in the 2014 Icheon Asian Games Syed Maratab Ali Shah secured bronze.
China and Iran are Asia’s leading nations in wushu and they are followed by Pakistan. In the 2010 Asian Games Pakistan were at No 2 while China were at No 3 and Iran were at No 1. It’s important for Pakistan to play and train with one of these nations ahead of the Asiad.
Pakistan are expected to field in 29 to 30 disciplines in the Games. The actual strength of Pakistan’s contingent will be finalised after a meeting of the PSB and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) in near future. Currently some camps are in operation while some are yet to begin.The federations have started forwarding the names of probables to the POA for the Asiad.
