Pakistan’s karate squad off to Kathmandu

KARACHI: Pakistan’s 19-member karate squad left for Kathmandu late Thursday night to feature in the 13th South Asian Games which will begin in Nepal’s capital from December 1.

A senior official of Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) said that the country would win at least four gold medals despite lack of preparation. “We definitely hope for four gold medals,” PKF chairman Mohammad Jehangir told ‘The News’ from Kathmandu.

The karate event will be held in Kathmandu. The Games are being held in Nepal’s capital and Pokhara from December 1-10.

Pakistan’s karate squad includes Saadi Abbas, the Asian champion and two-time Commonwealth Championship gold medallist. He also has to his credit a US Open title. Besides this, he is also fighting for an Olympic seat and is well-poised to achieve the milestone.

In 2016 South Asian Games held in India there was no karate event. In 2010, Dhaka edition Pakistan won one gold in karate. But this time besides Saadi, Pakistan’s squad includes the 2018 Asian Games bronze medallist Nargis Hazara, Naseer Ahmed and highly talented Kulsoom who could grab gold.

Pakistan volleyball and wushu squads have already reached Kathmandu. Some of the squads will also leave for Nepal on Friday (today). Squad: Iqra Anwar (minus 45kg), Sabira Gul (minus 50kg), Sana Kausar (minus 55kg), Naz Gul (minus 61kg), Kulsoom (minus 68kg), Nargis (plus 68kg), Shahida (individual kata), Nouman Ahmed (minus 50kg), Murad Khan (minus 55kg), Zafar Iqbal (minus 60kg), Naseer Ahmed (minus 67kg), Saadi Abbas (minus 75kg), Mohammad Awais (minus 84kg), Baz Mohammad (plus 84kg), Rehmanullah (team kumite), Shehbaz Khan (team kumite), Niamatullah (individual kata).

Officials: Shah Mohammad Shan (coach), Andleep Sandhu (manager)