The stakes at the National Swimming Championship are higher than ever as Pakistan women’s number two Ghulam Sakina looks to claim top spot, competing with 50 other swimmers from the whole country.
The 19-year-old, who although downplays the significance of the national title saying there is not much competition in the women’s events, aims to win the event in order to participate in the Open World Championship, which serves as qualifying for the 2012 Olympics. The Open World Championship will take place in China next month.
“This year I will swim for my life since it’s about Olympics,” Sakina told The Express Tribune. “I’ve been denied a spot in international events before but I don’t want to risk the Olympic qualifiers. As far as the national championship is concerned, the competition stays between Kiran Khan and me.”
Sakina also rues the fact that her efforts in promoting long-distance swimming in Pakistan have proven futile as the country’s swimming federation encourages sprint swimming more.
The national championship is scheduled to start from June 24 in Islamabad.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2011.
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