Karate federation to fund Abbas’ trip

LAHORE: Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) has decided to help national karate champion Saadi Abbas by funding his trip to the Asian Games after the Pakistan Olympics Association’s (POA) refusal due to lack of funds.

Abbas, who recently clinched gold in the 19th Kobe Osaka International (KOI) World Cup in the 67kg-category, was given a reception in Lahore following his feat in Greece.

“We’ve accepted the PKF’s offer to fund Abbas’ trip and will be sending him to the Asian Games,” General Arif Hasan told The Express Tribune. “Abbas is a talented athlete and will represent Pakistan in the Karate discipline.”

Dubai-based Abbas, while talking to The Express Tribune, remained upbeat on his chances to contest in the Asian Games but requested the federation to give him the proper facilities for the preparation.

“Though I am very optimistic about my chances for the Asian Games I need proper training sessions with  specialist coaches and trainers because without that, I’ll struggle,” said the 21-year-old who has represented Pakistan in various events including the Commonwealth Karate Championship 2009 in Johannesburg.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 11^th, 2010.