Bodybuilders ‘disheartened’ by India's snub
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.
COMMENTS (14)
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Actually pak won 4 gold and 2 silver in last year event. So indians were afraid that they will gonna win all gold this time so why not get them aside. I think thats the main issue that indians can't face the reality.
@Reddy: You must call A Spade a Spade. It is no Proxy war. On such International events this sort of a rebuff doesn't improve Bilateral Relations.
it seems indian affraid competing pakistanis especially where win is not possible.
To be honest, we should just ignore an immature Bully India....instead of this pleading rubbish...its embarassing!
What happened to the Honour & Dignity that our society was based upon...
Take a leaf from Iqbals poetry....there are other universe (alternatives) beyond....
Mr Lt Col Sir, There is n question of a proxy media war, no question of going to the security council, and no question of Pakistan denying visas, had there been an international event held in Pakistan, " Because Internaional events are not held in Pakistan no more ". Now would you want to start a new thread and discuss why ?????.??.???.???
Oh by the way, your baseball team was granted visas.
@Lt Col Imtiaz Alam(retd):
Lets talk about how 10 of your country men were sent to India to kill hundreds, once you answer that then you can demand easy visa for your fellows.
It just tells you the Indians are a Fake. Not Sincere. Can never be our friends Aman KI Aasha is just for a selected lot of Pakistani's who get an easy entry into a secular State to have a jolly good time. Holi Mannao or Bhangra Pao. Come back and tow the Indian Line.
i would like Indian govt also not to issue VISA to cricketers.........Please don't come to India........Don't give Visa to Indians either......Remember 2 Nation theory......
Pak musclemen will find no match in Indians anyway. Just don't go there for anything else too, and save ourself from further disappointing decisions at awards. Indian Idol and debate competition are as far as they will allow.... Have a competetion here at Tribune instead.
The height of arrogance of the Indian government, and incredibly shameless attitude of the Government of Pakistan for not even condemning this mean, uncivilized, and unlawful Indian posture.
@Carless Whispers: It's not Aman ki Asha, it's Aman ki tamasha. Btw where are the Pakistani candle-vigil-lighting pro-India liberals?
Their goes" Aman kee Asha" down the drain....
Forget it. Move on.