Wrestling trials for Asian Games on June 22

KARACHI: Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) would hold trials for Asian Games in Lahore on June 22, a senior official of the federation said on Monday.

“We have decided to hold trials on June 22 at Lahore,” PWF secretary Arshad Sattar told ‘The News’. “We are yet to decide how many grapplers will be picked for the Asiad. It will be decided on the trials day,” he added.

The wrestling camp for the quadrennial event will resume on Wednesday (tomorrow). The camp was halted on May 15 because of funds shortage.However, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has now decided to sponsor all the camps from June 20 for all those disciplines affiliated with the Board in which the country is to take part in the Games.

The Board has received a grant of Rs300 million for the purpose.The federation is expected to send three or four wrestlers to Indonesia for the Asian Games slated to be held from August 18 to September 2.

Despite not getting a lengthy camp as required for satisfactory preparation for the Asian Games, Arshad said if the top wrestlers were given a month-long training on foreign soil, Pakistan could grab a silver or a bronze medal.

“Even now, if our top players get one-month training abroad, we certainly have chance of a silver or a bronze medal, particularly Mohammad Inam,” the official said.

“Inam is in great form and is a better wrestler than the wrestlers of many major countries such as China, Japan and Korea. He can win a medal if he gets trained with players of his standard or those superior to him,” Arshad said.

Inam recently added to his achievements when he secured a gold medal in 86kg freestyle wrestling in the Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia, in April.

The PWF intends to send its top wrestlers to Ukraine. It has submitted its case with the Board. The PWF also discussed the matter with the stakeholders at a meeting at the Olympic House in Lahore on June 13.

The PSB is expected to back the PWF in its mission.In the Asian Games, it is estimated that a 397-member Pakistan contingent will take part. The contingent will comprise players and officials of 28 of those disciplines which are affiliated with the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) and eight of those which are not.