KARACHI:
Pakistani female judoka Ambreen Ashiq is thrilled over the prospect of training with Indian judokas this month.
She and her sister Humera, who won medals at the South Asian Championship in Nepal earlier this year, will be part of a 10-woman contingent that will travel to India to improve its skills.
According to Ambreen, the Indian tour, expected to take place sometime this month, holds special significance for the players.
“It’s something closer to our heart, mainly because it always feels like home but with more opportunities to learn,” Ambreen told The Express Tribune.
“Last time, we went to India in 2005 and the love and appreciation we got there was unforgettable.
“In terms of training, we see the Indian judokas as our mentors. They get the chance to compete more than we do in international events. The Indian contingent is also present at all the important championships; so surely, we can learn new techniques from them.”
She elaborated that India and Pakistan are usually the top contenders in the South Asian region, but the former have improved more rapidly in terms of participation.
“Even if India doesn’t win medals at every event, they have better facilities and are more involved in international events. Participation is the key, but we are not there yet. That’s where we need to improve,” she concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 12th, 2014.
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