Pakistan to improve ties through rowing

10-member KBC team faces Colombo Club in Sri Lanka.

KARACHI:

A 10-member Pakistan contingent left Thursday evening to compete at the Karachi-Colombo Rowing Regatta at the Colombo Club in Sri Lanka.

The Karachi Boat Club (KBC) is taking part in the event for the second time in a bid  to improve ties with the Colombo Rowing Club.

According to Pakistan Rowing Federation official and KBC executive committee member Abdul Rahim Babai, the competition used to take place in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India each year, featuring rowers from Colombo, Madras Rowing Club and KBC.

However, due to visa issues between India and Pakistan, the event now takes place between Colombo and Karachi rowers only.

The event will also mark the Colombo Rowing Club’s 150th anniversary, ensuring a tough and spirited competition.

“It’s one of our major events,” Babai told The Express Tribune. “We competed in Colombo last year too. This time we made the exception of going again because of their anniversary.

“Even though our rowers have trained for three months, the hosts will be competing with a lot of spirit because of the landmark occasion. Despite the challenging atmosphere, the event will give them international exposure.”

The Pakistan squad, led by manager Arif Ikram, will compete in the single scull, double scull, coaxless pairs and coax fours events.

Captain Imran Khan, Murtaza Jafarani, Agha Shuja, Am Meekail Asim will be representing the men’s team while the women’s side features Basima Dodhy, Emaan Siddique, Myra Nader Cowasjee, Nehan Asad and Maryam Yasmeen Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2014.

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