Pakistan Taekwondo Federation eager to bring home glory but where is the homework?
By Khurram Shehzad Awan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF), country’s apex body governing one of the most popular Korean martial arts in the world, has kicked up some high milestones in the last one decade without much resources or support, proving passion can overcome the tyranny of underfundedness.
The struggling PTF, which has produced world class Taekwondo athletes, has not been lucky, like other sports federations, in terms of securing sustainable funding from Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
This has made the expenditures for running the day-to-day affairs impossible for the federation to bear.
To get an in-depth idea what problems the PTF is facing, Independent Pakistan met with its president Col (R) Muhammad Wasim Janjua. Here are the highlights of that exclusive interview.
“We are working very hard at the grassroots level to scout new talent in this game for which we organise National Taekwondo Championship annually, which is funded by the Korean embassy on a regular basis,” Janjua said giving details about their efforts to popularise the sport.
Talking about the upcoming events, Janjua said that a Pakistan taekwondo training camp for the upcoming South Asian Games and Islamic Solidarity Games was underway in Pakistan Sports Complex.
“We are hopeful of our players to excel and bring the glory home.”
He added that the PTF would host the 4th Asian Open International Taekwondo Championship in Islamabad, which was a great honour for Pakistan.
“In this mega event finest athletes from countries across the globe will put their prowess to test in Islamabad from November 1st to 4th 2022.”
Janjua added that the young people mostly aged 17 and above are going to participate in senior men’s and women’s Khyrougi event.
“Pakistani national and international referees will also be part of this event along with international referees.” Commenting on the preparations of the event the PTF president said the federation would deliver in every sense, the warmest and friendliest 4th Asian open international taekwondo championship in sincere spirit and genuine warmth.
“Such events are beneficial for the professional development of our athletes and they also improve the organisational skills of national sports federations.”
He said that Pakistani taekwondo players made waves at 9th Fujairah Open Taekwondo Championship 2022 at Sheikh Zayed Sports City UAE.
“In this event Pakistan won two bronze medals among 100 countries who took part in this championship.”
Giving a snapshot of the country’s achievement in this sport, Janjua said Sinan Ashfaq Ahmed won the first gold medal for Pakistan after beating a Tunisian player in French Open Taekwondo Championship in 2021.
Before this Ahmed had won a silver medal at the same championship in 2019.
To a query he said it was one of his greatest wishes to see Pakistan qualify for the Olympic games.
He said a Pakistani athlete Atif had won a bronze in Olympic qualifying round in 2021.
Talking about the affiliated units of the PTF, he said Punjab, Sindh, KPK, Balochistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Gilgit -Baltistan were a part of the federation.
“We also have teams from different government departments like Army, Air Force, Police, Navy, Railways, Wapda, and Higher Education Commission.”
Janjua also urged the Inter Provincial Coordination Division to continue its support to the PTF which was like oxygen for the athletes when their performances would be rewarded with cash prizes and appreciation.
“Our athletes are working very hard under the supervision of international coaches and hopefully we will do better in the mega events,” the PTF president said concluding his conversation with the Independent Pakistan.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
