Athletes upbeat about Pak contingent’s show at Olympics

ISLAMABAD: Ten Pakistani athletes promised to make the occasion worth-remembering by putting up their best ever efforts as following a year of delay and uncertainty Tokyo Olympics finally got underway to a glittering start on Friday.

The competition from Pakistan’s perspective will start as early as today (Saturday) when the fate of top shooter Gulfam Joseph will be decided in 10m Air Pistol where the medal will also be decided.

“After winning the Olympics quota in my debut international match, I have focused on my training to perform well in the Olympics. Participating in the Olympics and that too in Japan is very fascinating for me. Looking forward to shooting well in the competition and to visit beautiful Tokyo,” Gulfam Joseph said.

Other shooters also expressed confidence of giving their best.

Gulfam Joseph missed the opening ceremony march-past to concentrate on his event scheduled for Saturday evening.

“I am very excited to participate in the Tokyo Olympics in the 25m Rapid Fire Pistol event. I worked very hard to improve my mental, physical condition and tech expertise essentially required for shooting. Hoping for a good competition environment in Japan,” Ghulam Mustafa Bashir said.

“Dream of participating in the Olympics is finally coming true. It’s time to deliver whatever I have learned and trained myself for. I hope to enjoy the hospitality of people of Japan and to enjoy,” Muhammad Khalil Akhtar said.

Pakistan medal hope in javelin throw Arshad Nadeem said: “I am glad to qualify for participation in Tokyo Olympics Japan, 2020 and feel proud that I represent my country in Tokyo Olympics. My training for said competition is now complete. I have worked hard to compete for top honor and InshaAllah, hope I shall perform well to win a medal for my country.”

Najma Parveen who will represent the country in 200m sprint said.

“It was an immense pleasure for me that I have attained Universality Place for Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. It was my dream that I participate in such a mega event and represent my country and bring laurel for my country from around the world.”

“ I am looking forward to the mega event. I am excited to play in the sports arena and give my absolute best. It is my first appearance in the Olympics and I am hoping for a great journey at an amazing place like Japan. It is great to see that the Japanese government is doing a great job to host Olympics in a pandemic situation and regulating Covid-19 SOPs to ensure the safety of athletes,” Shah Hussain Shah who is facing a tough draw said.

“I am an Olympian, Asian Bronze, Commonwealth Games Silver, South Asian Games Gold Medalist and current National Champion in Judo. I struggled hard and Alhamdolillah qualified for the Tokyo Olympics which is a dream of millions of athletes. It is a moment of great honour and pleasure for me to represent Pakistan in the world’s biggest and most colorful event. I believe that it is just because of the support of my family, Army and national sports bodies of Pakistan that I am here.”