Bodybuilders ‘disheartened’ by India's snub
Team denied NOC for South Asian event; focus now on world championship.
KARACHI:
After failing to take part in the South Asian event, the Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation (PBBF) has now shifted its focus to the World Championship that will take place in Thailand from December 4.
The federation and players were left frustrated as the Pakistan team was denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Indian government for the event being held at Ludhiana that concludes today.
“We’re very disheartened by the snub,” a top official of the federation told The Express Tribune. “Our players had been training the whole year for this event, and being told at the last moment that they can’t participate is very disappointing.
“However, we will now invest our energy on the upcoming world championship. The players need motivation after being let down, and we hope they will be ready in time for Thailand.”
The official added that he discussed the matter with the Indian and Asian Bodybuilding Federations who were equally disappointed and said that it was a big loss for the event.
He stated that relevant officials of the Pakistan government need to take up the issue with their Indian counterparts to avoid problems in the future.
“Our government needs to realise that cricket isn’t the only sport played in Pakistan. Other games need attention as well.”
He further said the fact that any competition between Pakistan and India is followed with enthusiasm in both countries, makes the snub more frustrating. Pakistan won four gold and two silver medals in the same event last year.
Bodybuilders Mujahid Hussain, Muhammad Imtiaz, Khaliq Ali, Idrees Sajjad, Ashraf Ali, Muhammad Azeem, Khalid Ali Malik Shafqaat and Fida Hussain were scheduled to participate in categories ranging from 55kg to 90kg.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2012.
After failing to take part in the South Asian event, the Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation (PBBF) has now shifted its focus to the World Championship that will take place in Thailand from December 4.
The federation and players were left frustrated as the Pakistan team was denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the Indian government for the event being held at Ludhiana that concludes today.
“We’re very disheartened by the snub,” a top official of the federation told The Express Tribune. “Our players had been training the whole year for this event, and being told at the last moment that they can’t participate is very disappointing.
“However, we will now invest our energy on the upcoming world championship. The players need motivation after being let down, and we hope they will be ready in time for Thailand.”
The official added that he discussed the matter with the Indian and Asian Bodybuilding Federations who were equally disappointed and said that it was a big loss for the event.
He stated that relevant officials of the Pakistan government need to take up the issue with their Indian counterparts to avoid problems in the future.
“Our government needs to realise that cricket isn’t the only sport played in Pakistan. Other games need attention as well.”
He further said the fact that any competition between Pakistan and India is followed with enthusiasm in both countries, makes the snub more frustrating. Pakistan won four gold and two silver medals in the same event last year.
Bodybuilders Mujahid Hussain, Muhammad Imtiaz, Khaliq Ali, Idrees Sajjad, Ashraf Ali, Muhammad Azeem, Khalid Ali Malik Shafqaat and Fida Hussain were scheduled to participate in categories ranging from 55kg to 90kg.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2012.