Pak taekwondo chief hopes to clinch WTF seat

KARACHI: Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) president Lt Col Wasim Ahmed on Friday said that he was hopeful to win the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) elections for council members to be held in Korea in June.

“Yes, I am hopeful about my success. Several countries have assured me of their support,” Wasim told ‘The News’. “I met top officials of several nations at the Fujaira Open in Dubai recently and they promised of their support,” he said.

If elected, Wasim would become the first Pakistani to occupy the seat. The WTO is one of the major international federations. As many as 206 countries are affiliated with it.

When asked how his entry into the WTO council would help Pakistan, Wasim said it would be of immense importance for the country. “I will be able to help Pakistan get G-1 events and equipment which are our two important issues. If a G-1 event is organised in Pakistan, hundreds of foreign players and officials will come here and it will not only be helpful financially but our players will also learn a lot from the foreign players and coaches,” Wasim said.

“The problem here is that we don’t know the importance of such posts,” he added.

About Pakistan’s performance in the Fujaira Open, he said it was a tough event. “It was a major event in which around 700 athletes from 36 nations featured. Pakistan fielded 20 players and a couple of female colts from Karachi grabbed silver and bronze medal in the under-14 events,” Wasim said.

He said that he was impressed by FATA’s Fahim, Jibran and Arsalan who reached the quarter-finals before being defeated by Russian players who swept 16 medals.

“These three players are university students and are very impressive. FATA has been producing good talent over the years,” the official said.

Wasim said that he was sure that Arsalan and Fahim would also be part of Pakistan’s squad for the 4th Islamic Games, slated to be held in Azerbaijan capital Baku from May 12-22.

About foreign players, Wasim said that three US-based female players and one from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were on the radar of the federation.

About holding international events in Pakistan, Wasim said that lack of funds was the biggest hurdle. “We can organise events but who will give us the money,” he added.

The PTF gets Rs2.2 million annual grant from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) besides special grants given for international events.

The PTF also plans to field its players in the Asian Junior Championship in Kazakhstan in April and the World Championships in Korea in June.

Next year Pakistan will feature in the Commonwealth Championship in Australia and Asian Games in Indonesia.