Zurkhaneh added to Pakistan’s Islamic Games schedule

Seven wrestlers will dabble into Irani form of wrestling in Baku

KARACHI: Pakistani athletes, at the upcoming 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, will try their hand at Pehalvani/Zurkhaneh — a traditional form of wrestling.

According to Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) official Zulfiqar Ali Butt, the sport of Zurkhaneh has existed in the northern areas of the country for more than a decade, although this is the first time local wrestlers will be participating at the Games.

“It is not a new sport, but yes this is the first time we are going to the Games for it,” Butt told The Express Tribune. “It is very much like our local, desi wrestling but the rules are a little different.”

He further explained: “Zurkhaneh is played mostly in Iran and other Persian speaking regions. It is a very entertaining sport and our athletes have won medals at the Zurkhaneh Asian Championship in 2009 and 2014.”

The travelling Zurkhaneh contingent is comprised of seven wrestlers, five of whom, per Butt, are from Peshawar, which signifies the popularity of the sport in the provincial capital.

Zurkhaneh competitions are further divided into two categories. “There are demos, where the athletes have to showcase different techniques and then there are actual bouts,” said Butt.

“I’m very confident that we can get medals in the Pehalvani competition because it is very similar to our local style; our players didn’t have any problem adapting to it at all.”

Butt expects Iran, Uzbekistan and other central Asian countries to be the main threat for Pakistani wrestlers at their debut Games.