Judokas await Indian visas for Asian championship
PJF receive approval from India’s end but need clearance from Pakistan government
PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) is hoping their judokas get their visas on time after being given the all-clear by the Indian interior ministry for the 10th Asian Cadet and 17th Asian Junior Judo Championship 2016 that will take place on September 7 at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Kerala, India.
According to PJF’s newly elected vice-president, Masood Ahmed, who had previously been working as the secretary, participation of the players is critical as Japan-based 17-year-old Amina Toyada and Fata’s 16-year-old Qaisar Khan will be making their debuts in the cadet events at the Asian level.
The competition will help improve their rankings for the Youth Olympics Games.
18-year-old Akram Nadeem will be competing in the Asian Junior Championship.
Shah, Pakistan’s best hope in Rio, falls in last-32 round
There was a fear that visas will be rejected but Indian Judo Federation Chief and Judo Union of Asia secretary Mukesh Kumar has helped the PJF receive clearance from the Indian interior ministry.
“It is always stressful to apply for events in India,” Ahmed told The Express Tribune.
“We applied for a visa in July, and we were told by the Indian High Commission to wait for clearance from the Indian ministries,” he said, but admitted there might be more red tape to overcome. “We’ve received the green signal from there, but now we are worried that the Pakistan government may not approve.”
Pakistan’s promising judoka Shah to kick-start Olympic career
The PJF has been preparing for the last two months, and Pakistan are expected to retain a spot among Asia’s top 10 nations if they participate in the championships.
“Last time we finished ninth out of 38 countries,” added Ahmed. “Qaisar can win a medal. Amina is our premier female athlete; she is also aiming to qualify for the 2020 Olympics, so this will be a good test for her.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 4th, 2016.
The Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) is hoping their judokas get their visas on time after being given the all-clear by the Indian interior ministry for the 10th Asian Cadet and 17th Asian Junior Judo Championship 2016 that will take place on September 7 at the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Kerala, India.
According to PJF’s newly elected vice-president, Masood Ahmed, who had previously been working as the secretary, participation of the players is critical as Japan-based 17-year-old Amina Toyada and Fata’s 16-year-old Qaisar Khan will be making their debuts in the cadet events at the Asian level.
The competition will help improve their rankings for the Youth Olympics Games.
18-year-old Akram Nadeem will be competing in the Asian Junior Championship.
Shah, Pakistan’s best hope in Rio, falls in last-32 round
There was a fear that visas will be rejected but Indian Judo Federation Chief and Judo Union of Asia secretary Mukesh Kumar has helped the PJF receive clearance from the Indian interior ministry.
“It is always stressful to apply for events in India,” Ahmed told The Express Tribune.
“We applied for a visa in July, and we were told by the Indian High Commission to wait for clearance from the Indian ministries,” he said, but admitted there might be more red tape to overcome. “We’ve received the green signal from there, but now we are worried that the Pakistan government may not approve.”
Pakistan’s promising judoka Shah to kick-start Olympic career
The PJF has been preparing for the last two months, and Pakistan are expected to retain a spot among Asia’s top 10 nations if they participate in the championships.
“Last time we finished ninth out of 38 countries,” added Ahmed. “Qaisar can win a medal. Amina is our premier female athlete; she is also aiming to qualify for the 2020 Olympics, so this will be a good test for her.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 4th, 2016.