Malaysian coach to help Pakistan shuttlers

South Asian Games is the target, says federation.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) has roped in a Malaysian coach for the national squad which is gearing up for the South Asian Games scheduled to be held in New Delhi next year.

While the fate of the regional multi-sporting event hangs in the balance due to the International Olympic Committee’s ban on the India Olympic Association, the PBF is continuing to make efforts to give the ‘best possible’ preparations to its players.

“Our preparations will continue and we will not let it affect our efforts due to the uncertainty surrounding the event,” PBF Secretary Imtiaz Ahmed told The Express Tribune before adding that the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) has agreed to send a coach to train the Pakistan players.



“They will send a coach next month. The BAM are in process of finalising the name, but they have promised to send a coach with strong credentials.”

Imtiaz hoped that the arrival of a foreign coach would help players progress at international level.

Youngsters impress federation

Meanwhile, the PBF official said that the badminton camp in Islamabad, which started last month, was progressing well.

The camp is being attended by 12 male and 10 female probables from which eight players from each group will participate at the South Asian Games.

Ahmed said the extensive camp had already started showing results and that was observed at the Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed National Championship in Larkana played earlier this month.

“After a long time, the youngsters overcame their senior counterparts. Our seasoned players — Wajid Ali and Umer Zeeshan - were defeated in the quarter-finals by unheralded players. The young players are progressing well, which is a good sign for the future of Pakistan badminton.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 25^th, 2012.