Inter-Province Championship: K-P, FATA impress in judo competitions

Inter-Province Championship included players from remote areas

KARACHI: Judo may not be the most popular sport in Pakistan, but athletes from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Fata surprised all by winning a majority of the top prizes in the 5th Inter-Province Judo Championship in Islamabad.

K-P clinched three gold medals, three silver medals and one bronze medal with 81 points.

Punjab stood second with two gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals, whereas Fata – featuring players from remote areas of the country – secured the third place with one gold, two silvers and two bronzes with 46 points.

“It’s amazing to see participants from K-P and Fata achieve so much,” Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) secretary Masood Ahmed told The Express Tribune. “Witnessing these strong players who have natural athletic physiques and the determination to fight despite the lack of facilities in their hometowns is a source of inspiration.”

The championship featured athletes from Punjab, K-P, Sindh, Balochistan, Fata, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Islamabad, while Gilgit-Baltistan participated for the first time in the event. The competitions took place in seven weight categories.

Ahmed said that the PJF’s decision to hold the national camp in Peshawar helped the athletes.

“We had set up our national training camp in Peshawar despite the security situation as we wanted the youthful talent in K-P to come to the fore, and eventually players from Fata end up in Peshawar as well. I’m glad that our camp with coach Sajjad Kazemi [of Iran] really helped these players.”

According to Ahmed, security fears should not hinder sports activities or deprive players of opportunities to showcase their potential. “Players came from as far as Bajaur Agency and Mohmand Agency,” he revealed.

The official added that the PJF’s next event will be the Inter-Province Juniors Championship.

 

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