Wrestler Hussain opts out of Asian Games

National camp for mega event currently under way in Islamabad.

KARACHI: Pakistan will be without seasoned wrestler and Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Azhar Hussain at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.

However, coach Muhammad Anwar believes their preparations will not be hindered by Hussain’s absence.

There are currently four athletes training at the ongoing camp in Islamabad.

“Even though Hussain will not be competing at the Asian Games, our new wrestlers can replace him in the squad,” Anwar told The Express Tribune. “He has been excused from the camp as he has opted to compete for his department [Army] at the World Inter-Forces Wrestling Championship, given that the dates of both competitions are clashing.”

Meanwhile, Anwar backed the new pool of talent at the club, stating, “We have new wrestlers who are hard at work. I’m pinning my hopes on Muhammad Inam, who won gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.”

Despite the wrestlers’ efforts, Anwar played down the country’s chances in Incheon.

“Firstly, we lack adequate facilities as we have only three or four wrestling mats. Then there is the political situation in the capital that has added to our grief.

“Furthermore, the government also only given us Rs500 as daily allowance which is not enough,” concluded Anwar.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2014.

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