Pakistan eye fruitful outing in Bangkok

Contingent to leave for Badminton Asia Junior Championship on July 10.

KARACHI: Pakistan junior badminton players are eager to showcase their skills at the SCG Badminton Asia Junior Championship, scheduled to be held from July 9 in Bangkok, following the conclusion of the training camp yesterday.

The Pakistan contingent is expected to leave for Bangkok on July 10 as their matches commence from July 11 and Zohaib Khan Khalil, a talented young star who is part of the team, revealed that the players are following a strict diet plan to stay in best shape for the championship.

“In order for us to stay in the best shape, the coaches have given us a strict diet plan to follow. There is also a training regime we have to adhere to,” said Khalil. “The month of Ramazan made following this regime difficult, but I did my best to stay physically fit throughout the holy month.”

He further revealed that the players have been asked to rest for a week before their departure from Lahore this Sunday. “The other three players were also training at their respective camps and we are all set to give our best at the championship,” he said. “The coaches have asked us to rest so we do not pick up any injuries before the event.”

Meanwhile, another player Shahmeer Iftikhar, who hails from Punjab, revealed that he has spent lot of money on training and is now looking forward to do well at the championship. “We do not have any fixed jobs so when a competition is near, we have to spend from our pockets,” said Iftikhar. “The Pakistan Badminton Federation gives us an allowance which makes up for these expenses. Hence, not only am I looking forward to doing well in Bangkok, I am looking forward to this allowance as well.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2016.

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