Nine U16 judokas to travel to Japan

Youngsters to take part in International Youth Team Tournament.

KARACHI: Nine Pakistani teenage judokas will make their first international appearance at the Sanix International Youth U16 Team Tournament in Fukuoka, Japan on December 24.

According to Pakistan Judo Federation secretary Masood Ahmed, this is the first time Pakistan is sending an U16 team to any international event.

“We’ve never sent an U16 team to any tournament abroad before,” Ahmed told The Express Tribune. “But we believe it’s necessary, especially in the current situation of our country. Our players need some motivation and hope.”

Ahmed said the athletes were chosen for the event after a talent-hunt programme, which included Inter-School Judo Championships.

The team comprises Waheed Babar, Ahmed Raza, Rehman Ali, Talha Iqbal Shaikh, Qaisar Khan, Mujtaba Raheem, Moiz Akhtar, Mehr Ammar Nadeem and Khizar Gulzar.

“Qaisar is from Fata, while others are from Gujranwala and Islamabad. They have been training in Islamabad for the last two weeks to prepare for the tournament,” added Ahmed.

The team is expected to receive their visas next week for the five-day tournament.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2014.

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