India-bound Pak Ju-Jitsu squad wait for grant, NOC

KARACHI: The silence on part of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) following Pakistan Ju-Jitsu Federation’s request for financial assistance may force the federation to slash its squad for the First South Asian and Central Asian Ju-Jitsu Championship pencilled in for May 26 to June 1 at Bangalore.
“We have already requested PSB and POA for financial assistance but so far they have not responded. We plan to send a 30-member contingent to India. If we are unable to get the financial support from the country’s sports governing bodies then we will have to reduce our touring party considerably,” PJJF president Khalil Ahmed told ‘The News’ on Tuesday.
“We have requested them for special grant of Rs4.5 million. The ticket for one person will cost us Rs125,000,” Khalil informed.
In a letter written to POA president on May 2 PJJF said: “As you must be aware, our national team is ready to participate in the South Asian Championship in Bangalore at the end of this month. In order to participate in this event our federation requires funds to meet the expenses of travelling and food for our delegation.”
“A formal request in this matter was tendered to the PSB by our federation but to no avail so far. Without any financial aid our athletes would miss the opportunity to win medals and will be unable to retain title of the Asian Championship. The event also serves as qualifiers for next year’s Asian Championship in Indonesia,” the letter said.
“We, therefore, request you to cover the cost of the championship, in part, if not in totality, the required amount of Rs4.5 million,” the letter said.
Interestingly, the contingent will leave for Bangalore on May 25 but so far the government has neither issued NOC nor financial grant but the IPC ministry has shown its quickness in sending the name of its representative to the PJJF which will accompany the India-bound squad.
These issues have been highlighted by the PJJF through a letter it addressed to the IPC secretary Ijaz Chaudhry on May 15.
“This is in continuation of our numerous letters on the subject matter and in particular of our last communication on May 6. Our federation has still not received the NOC or confirmation of the special grant for the event. However, a nomination of Mr Mohammad Umar, research officer IPC, for traveling with the team was received through fax transmission on May 13,” the PJJF letter to Ijaz said.
“We would like to intimate you that flights cannot be reserved unless funds are provided to the PJJF by the PSB. In case of non-participation in the event players will lose a chance to win laurels for the country,” the letter added.
The PSB has started a unique practice of sending either its own representatives or those of the IPC with the touring parties of any sports discipline.
A few days ago when ‘The News’ asked the IPC minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada about the Board’s decision of sending its representatives with the touring parties, he had said that he did not know about the development as he had not received any such file.
In the India event, each participating nation may field maximum four players in each weight category.
Khalil said Pakistan has a lot of potential in the sport.
“We have been winning medals at the Asia level but our players are not being encouraged by the government,” Khalil said.
Pakistani contingent is expected to get India visas by Friday.
“We have been told that clearance process by the agencies will be completed in a couple of days and we will be issued visas by Friday,” Khalil said.
Amir Mukhtar (coach) and Anwar Ahmed (manager) will accompany the side as officials.
Tariq Ali and Kazim Ali (both referees) will also be part of the delegation as they will be attending a referees’ clinic which will begin from May 26. The championship will start from May 28.