ASIAN ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS: Under-prepared squad to feature in Doha meet

KARACHI: Despite having failed to get a nod from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) regarding holding of a training camp for next month’s Asian Championships, the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) is determined to field five athletes in the continental event to be held in Doha from April 21-24.

“We have not been given camp but we are trying to manage some resources so that the five athletes which we have finalised could be sent to Doha,” AFP Secretary Mohammad Zafar told ‘The News’ on Friday from Lahore.

As the government has stopped assisting federations in their bid to field players in international competitions since the 18th Asian Games in Indonesia, the sports bodies are facing great difficulties.

“I think every federation is facing the same issue,” Zafar said. “We will try to borrow some money as the tour is very important. We have also applied for the NOC for the purpose,” Zafar said.

The historic Al-Khalifa International Stadium will host the Asian Championships. Some athletes are preparing at the Army’s camp while some are doing training on their own after getting instructions from their respective coaches.

“I am training on my own at my village as there is no camp. My coach advises me on phone,” an athlete told ‘The News’ on Friday.

The country’s popular javelin thrower and the 2018 Asian Games bronze medallist Arshad Nadeem (Wapda), sprinter Uzair (Army), 400m specialist and Olympian Mehboob Ali (Army), high jumper Shehroz (Wapda) and sprinter Sahib-e-Asra (Wapda) have been selected for the event.

Arshad, who created ripples by lifting a surprise bronze in last year’s Asian Games, was expected to finish at the victory podium. However, the way he is undergoing training that may dent his chances of securing any medal.

Olympian Mehboob is another medal hope. The rest of the trio did tremendously in the last National Championships in Islamabad last year by producing some upsets. “We have picked the best,” Zafar said.

The athletes will be accompanied by coach Asghar Gill, a former Railways employee. Zafar said that effort would be made to call the selected athletes for a few days’ training camp in Islamabad.

Meanwhile AFP President Major General (r) Akram Sahi will fight for various seats in the Asian Athletics Association’s (AAA) elections which will be held during the 23rd AAA Congress in Doha on April 20.

Sahi, also a former international athlete, will contest elections for the senior vice-president, vice-president and individual member. Sahi is also the council member of the current AAA set-up.

AFP advisor Brigadier (r) Ghazanfar Ali will contest elections for the AAA technical committee, Abida Tanvir will fight for a seat in the women committee and AFP chairman promotion and development commission and Islamabad Athletics Association’s (IAA) President Brigadier (r) Sultan Mehmood Satti is a candidate for the race walking committee.

Saad Alhiyasat of Jordan will contest for the AAA presidency against sitting president General Dahlan Jaman Al-Hamad of Qatar.