Leading national contingent at Asian Games is a matter of pride, honour: Fatima Lakhani

Fatima will become first woman in Pakistan's history to lead country's contingent at competition

Fatima Lakhani, who will become the first woman in Pakistan's history to lead the country's national contingent at the 20th Asian Games, termed the responsibility an honour and a matter of pride while expressing hope that Pakistan would achieve better results at the games.

Speaking exclusively to Express News before departing for the 20th Asian Games, which are going to begin in Japan on Saturday, Pakistan’s chef de mission said the country had bright prospects of winning medals in several sports during the competition, which will continue until October 4.

She said these sports include athletics, kabaddi, men’s and women’s cricket, squash, shooting, hockey, volleyball and boxing. Pakistan will participate in 23 disciplines at the Asian Games, including 14 events for women.

Fatima, who is Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Olympic Association, said that leading the national contingent at the 20th Asian Games was a matter of pride and honour. “In fact, this highlights the importance of women in society and demonstrates that women enjoy equal rights alongside men,” she added.

She further stated that although winning a medal was important, highlighting the country’s name at the international level carried even greater significance, saying that the "Pakistani athletes and officials participating in the Asian Games represent the country as its ambassadors."

Read: Asian Games cruise ship arrives

Fatima also noted that experience gained at the Asian Games would also help the country successfully organise the South Asian Games, which it is scheduled to host next year.

She added that discipline would be given particular importance during the Asian Games, saying that she expected the athletes to represent Pakistan with dignity and win hearts through their sportsmanship, discipline and exemplary conduct.

Meanwhile, following the arrival of the women's cricket team, along with the hockey and tennis teams, Pakistan's national triathlon athletes, participating in the Asian Games for the first time, also arrived in Japan. Among them is Anisha Ali from Hunza district, Gilgit-Baltistan, who will compete in the mixed relay event.

It is also worth noting that three sisters — Mahnoor Ali, Sehrish Ali and Mehwish Ali, popularly known as the Ali Sisters — along with Sana Bahadur, who is deaf and mute, will represent Pakistan in the women's squash event at the Asian Games. All four athletes hail from Peshawar.