Judo coach to train prospects in Iran

Kazmi shortlists 6 players as part 2016 Olympics plan.

KARACHI: Pakistan judo coach Sajjad Kazmi will take along six talented players to train with him in Iran as part of preparations for the 2016 Olympics.

Kazmi, who conducted a national talent hunt programme organised by the Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF), was given the task to prepare a pool of players for the South Asian Games. He has  decided to go a step further and train six players in his native country.

“I’ve chosen six under-15 players who can represent Pakistan in the next Olympic qualifiers,” Kazmi told The Express Tribune. “Iran has better facilities that can groom them into world-class athletes.”

Kazmi, who has left for Iran, will be joined by the six players next week before the Iranian comes back to rejoin the national camp in July. The six players are not part of the national camp underway for the South Asian Games.

PJF Secretary Masood Ahmed said that Kazmi’s one-year contract will be reviewed at the end of the year to pave the way for his long-term plans for Pakistan judo.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2012.