'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Team Pakistan will participate in the South Asian Karate Championships to be held in New Delhi from June 23-26.
“We are going to field a full side in the event in New Delhi in which the competitions would be held for seniors, juniors and cadet categories,” Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) president Mohammad Jehangir told ‘The News’.
In the juniors’ slots, karatekas upto 18 years of age will participate while in the cadet section, players’ upto 16 years of age will be eligible to showcase their talent, he said.
Jehangir admitted he wasn’t entirely satisfied with his players’ training thus far.
“Due to sports conflict, the players have suffered a lot and our preparation for India’s affair is not that good. We have held a camp in Islamabad a few days ago and we’ll see what happens.”
Pakistan’s star performer Saadi Abbas is expected to join the training camp on Wednesday. Saadi is in terrific form after winning gold in the recently concluded US Open and is expected to play an important role in India.
After the completion of the Delhi event, players will start their preparations for the Asian games which are scheduled from September 19 to October 4.
“After the South Asian Championship, our next target will definitely be the Asian Games. If the sports matter is resolved after returning from Delhi, we will plan afresh how we should prepare the team for the Asiad,” Jehangir said.
“We definitely want to send a few top players abroad for training ahead of the continental assignment,”he added.
Jehangir was hopeful of Pakistan doing well in the Asian games thanks to Saadi’s form.
“You know, he is in top form and for the last few years he has been constantly lifting medals in international events. If he remains fit, he will spring surprise this time in the Asian Games too,” he concluded.
