ASIAN GAMES: Meet the standard or forget about participation, rowers told

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Rowing Federation (PRF) president Rizwanul Haq Tuesday warned the probables of Asian Games to meet the required standard or forget about participation in the continental event set to be held in Jakarta (Indonesia) from August 18-September 2.

Talking to ‘The News’, Rizwan said that he was not happy with the way probables were working on their fitness and training these days.

“Though the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has yet to start the official camps for the game, those training individually or with their respective units need to put in extra efforts to improve their fitness and timing in an attempt to be a part of the Asian Games contingent.”

The federation president looked adamant in declaring that unless and until probables improve their timing it would be useless to send them to Asiad to compete against the best. “Look all depends on probables’ ability to be in a position to pose a challenge to the best in Asia. Unless and until they attain that standard, sending them to Jakarta would be useless.”

Pakistan has a rich tradition of performance in the rowing event at Asian Games with famous rower Mohammad Akram getting silver and bronze. Pakistan also won gold medal in machine event previously.

“It would be useless to send non-performers or those showing no improvement or competitiveness. It would be like wasting government’s money. We cannot send a rower only for the sake of participation. Those who have chosen rowing must improve their performance to a limit where they can threat the best in Asia,” he said.

Around 20 men and women rowers these days are busy training at different sites. These would later be called up at national camps once the government decides its start.

“Though we have been allotted as many as five spots in the contingent, it all depends on rowers’ ability to show their worth.

“The Pakistan Olympic Association has given us five slots in the contingent for Asiad. We would see as how many would be in a position to pose challenge to best in Asia. Only those would be sent to Asian Games who would go on to clear a set standard.”