The Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) is sending a six-member team, comprising two female athletes Beenish Akbar and Kulsoom Hazara and four male players Kashif Muhammad Ramzan, Baz Muhammad and US Open champion Saadi Abbas.
Kulsoom will be competing in the 68kg category, while Beenish will participate in the 50kg event.
“It’s the first time we’ll be going to the Asian Games, so it’s a huge deal for us,” Kulsoom told The Express Tribune. “The biggest setback for Pakistan’s female karatekas is that we haven’t competed in any international event since 2012. It’s not just my struggle; it’s the entire squad that’s lacking exposure.
“However, I know I can win a gold medal. I’m pursuing my passion, which means more to me than just getting a tour or earning money. I know that if I’ll win a medal at the Asian Games, I’ll make my late mentor proud. He was a martyr and it would be a tribute to him.”
Kulsoom further stated that the female athletes are training as diligently as their male counterparts at the camp in Islamabad, practicing six hours a day.
“Coach Khalid Noor is the best teacher we’ve had,” said the 25-year-old. “Although training with a foreign coach or competing in international events would have helped us more, we are grateful for all the hard work that Noor has done for us.
“We don’t have any idea about our opponents at the moment. We watch videos to understand their techniques, but we still don’t have a clue about the speed of these athletes. Competing against the top karatekas will be tough.”
Pakistan can win medals, says coach
Noor believes that Pakistan can return home with medals despite training in the middle of political chaos and living through previous uncertainty over the squad’s participation.
“We’ll leave for Incheon on September 28 as our event will begin later,” said the coach. “So far, everyone is optimistic about Abbas’ chances. He will join us in a day after taking part in a premier league in Turkey.
“He has an edge over the rest and can win us a gold medal. The other athletes are also in good form but they haven’t competed in two years at an international event.”
The former player added that the Asian Games will be a challenge for the athletes against competitors from Korea, Iran, Japan and Malaysia as they have international rankings.
“Last time, only Abbas got to compete in the Games, and that too without a coach and a manager. It wasn’t very easy for him to win a medal in the absence of support.
“However, Abbas has more experience now and the other athletes will have the chance to be inspired by him,” he concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2014.
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