Youth Olympics: Pakistan to feature in only four disciplines

POA’s disinterest has cost young athletes a big chance, says badminton official.

KARACHI: Out of 30 different sporting events being staged at the Summer Youth Olympics in China, Pakistan will field athletes in only four events.

According to Pakistan Badminton Federation Secretary Tayyab Sohail, lack of interest and carelessness on the part of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has cost promising athletes a chance to feature in such an important event.

“We have very talented youth and if they would have been sent to China, they would have brought home good results,” said Sohail. “However, they did not inform us about sending entries for the Youth Olympics.”

Pakistan Sports Board Director General Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera had earlier said that the players who participated at the Commonwealth Games were sent to gain international exposure. Commenting on the official’s remarks, former badminton national champion Javed Iqbal said, “The junior players are the ones who need to get international exposure as they are going to represent Pakistan in the future.”

A 12-member contingent left on Tuesday to participate in hockey, shooting, swimming and weightlifting events at the Summer Youth Olympics, which will take place from August 16 to 28 in Nanjing, China, and will feature 172 events in 30 disciplines.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2014.

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