Pakistan confident of Youth Games success

Four-member squad left for the event yesterday.

KARACHI: With the Commonwealth Youth Games set to start from today, the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has expressed hope of winning medals when the country’s players begin their campaign at the event.

Pakistan’s contingent – comprising two track and field thletes, one swimmer and a boxer – left for the Games yesterday and will be seen in action at the event from tomorrow where 71 countries are taking part.

Meanwhile, according to the POA officials, Pakistan have sent talented players to the event who were selected on the basis of their performance in national junior championships.

“Pakistan have a good chance of winning medals,” POA Secretary Abdul Khaliq Khan told The Express Tribune. “We’ve sent our best players in the available categories. We would’ve sent more athletes but financial constraints forced us against it. The Commonwealth Games Federation is sponsoring four athletes from each country, and we’re not bearing the cost.”

The Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) sent Balach Razzaq who will be competing in the men’s lightweight event.

“Razzaq is a talented boxer and I’ve high expectations from him,” said PBF Secretary Akram Khan. “He’s been practising at the seniors’ camp and he has a good chance of securing a medal there.”

Similarly, Pakistan Swimming Federation Secretary Majid Waseem informed that Mahnoor Maqsood will participate in the women’s 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke events. He said that Maqsood, the national junior champion, has the potential to win a medal.

Kiran Rana will compete in the 1500m women’s race and Raheem Khan will participate in the javelin throw event.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th,  2011.