Pakistan wrestlers set for month-long Russia camp ahead of Asian Games

Five wrestlers to train in North Ossetia as PWF intensifies preparations for the 2026 Asian Games

KARACHI:

Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) will send a six-member squad to Russia for a month-long training as part of preparations for the 2026 Asian Games slated to be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.

The joint training camp will be held at the Aslan Khadartsev Wrestling Academy, Republic of North Ossetia. Alania, Russia. Pakistan’s plan is to proceed by August 20.

Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had released Rs7.2 million to the federation last year for training purposes of the young athletes and the PWF deems it a perfect opportunity to spend from it on the Asian Games squad training.

However, experienced wrestler Nouman Zaka, who has also been picked for the Asian Games, has not been included in the touring party because he does not meet the age criteria as the PSB wanted to spend the money entirely on youth development.

Following trials, the PWF named a four-member squad for the Asian Games comprising Abdullah (65kg), Inayatullah (74kg), Nouman Zaka (84kg) and Mohammad Gulzar (97kg). Abdullah, Inayatullah, who is also a former Youth Olympics bronze medallist and Mohammad Gulzar will travel to Russia, alongside emerging wrestlers Hasan Ali, the Asian Beach Games silver medllist, and Abdul Rahman. Ghulam Fareed will accompany the team as coach.

For the Asian Games, however, PWF Secretary Mohammad Inam Butt will serve as the team's coach.

The federation has been running a training camp in Gujranwala and Lahore for the past two months using its own resources after failing to secure a state-funded camp.

"We have been managing the camp ourselves for the last two months because no government-backed training camp has been provided," Inam told The Express Tribune from Gujranwala.

He said the Russia tour would expose Pakistani wrestlers to a higher standard of training environment ahead of the continental showpiece.

"It will certainly benefit the wrestlers. But such overseas camps should be a regular part of the athlete development process. When they train with stronger wrestlers in a highly competitive environment, they learn far more than they can at home," said Inam, a former undisputed Beach Wrestling world champion.

He acknowledged the formidable challenge awaiting Pakistan at the Asian Games, describing the competition as one of the toughest wrestling events in the world.

"Japan has Olympic gold medallists, Iran has Olympic silver medallists, and several countries have Asian champions. Competing against such opponents is never easy, especially for our wrestlers, who do not receive the level of training facilities and international exposure available to them," he said.

Inayatullah is undergoing training under Ghulam Fareed in Lahore while the other three Asian Games-bound wrestlers are being trained by Inam Butt in Gujranwala.

The wrestlers are training in Gujranwala and Lahore under extremely hot weather conditions, with high temperatures and humidity affecting the intensity and duration of practice sessions. Excessive perspiration and fatigue have become major concerns as athletes prepare for one of the biggest events on the international calendar.

"It is extremely hot here, and it is not easy for the wrestlers to maintain quality training sessions under these conditions," Inam said.

Around 25 wrestlers are currently attending the Gujranwala camp.

This correspondent understands that the PSB initially committed to funding four wrestlers for the 2026 Asian Games, prompting the PWF to conduct national selection trials. The board later informed the federation that it would not sponsor any wrestler before issuing a third communication stating it would support only one wrestler and one official.

The uncertainty has left the federation struggling to finalise its preparations and financial planning.

"We often have to approach the Punjab Sports Board or the Pakistan Army for assistance. Running a sport professionally is extremely difficult."