Pakistan Taekwondo players to participate in several international events
A 5-member Pakistani Taekwondo team have left for Korea for the preparation of two upcoming international events: Junior Asia and World Inter University Championships 2019.
As confirmed by Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTWF) President, Lt Col (R) Wasim Ahmed Janjua, a five member taekwondo team comprising of four athletes and one coach have left for Korea to prepare for the upcoming Junior Asia and World Inter University Championships. 2019.
The squad includes: Najia Khan (coach), Jabran Asad Khan, Gulbeen Hekmat Yar Khan, Mohammed Danish and Taimur Saeed.
Lt Col (R) Wasim Ahmed Janjua said,
"She is Pakistan’s most successful athlete/coach as her trained athletes have done wonders in the recently-concluded World Championship in UK and now her focus is mainly on coaching, so the federation wanted to get benefit from her vast experience and unmatched international exposure."
These athletes along with coach will remain in Korea for three weeks before returning to Pakistan and then leave for Jordan for three back-to-back events including Asian Junior, Cadet and G-1 for seniors, to which the PTWF President said,
“These athletes have been sent on sponsors and on self-finance basis, however, with the effort of the PTWF, their accommodation and food will be the responsibility of Taekwondo Promotion Foundation, while Korean embassy has also supported in this regards by informing Taekwondo Promotion Foundation to look after Pakistani athletes.”
The Asian Junior Championship will begin from 20th July and then after three days, Cadet Championship will roll into action and in the last phase, G1 Senior Championship will get take place. All these events will conclude on 28th July.
Tamior Saeed is playing last few junior events and then will switch to senior events by the end of this year. Ammar Ashfaq will vie in the Junior Asian Championship while Sanin will represent Pakistan in Cadet Championship. While Asif Saad will play in Cadet Championship in Jordan and Jabbar will be utilized in South Asian Games (SAG) in Nepal. Same is the case with senior player as Gulbeen will be utilized in SAG, while 15-year-old, Danish will be playing in Asian Juniors.
Keeping in mind the financial situation for these athletes, Col Wasim said,
“In highly limited resources, we have taken all the possible steps in order to provide our athletes maximum exposure, tournaments and training facilities aboard. We have not received any grant from the PSB yet and we hope that IPC Minister Dr Fahmida Mirza will prefer us seeing our nonparallel record of winning international medals for last several years. The PSB is about to release special grants for few federations on the basis of performances, so I am sure we top the list and deserve this grant.
