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Asian Games: Karatekas may be sent to Iran or Turkey for preparation

By Our Correspondent
May 02, 2018

KARACHI: Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) plans to send its top karatekas either to Iran or Turkey to prepare them for the Asian Games, slated to be held in Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2.

“Our target is to send our leading fighters to Iran or Turkey. Turkey will be a bit expensive but they have some good fighters against whom our boys would get good practice for Asian Games,” PKF chairman Mohammad Jehangir told ‘The News’ in an interview.

The national karate camp, carrying 15 men and 15 women, has been in operation in Lahore for the last two months for the quadrennial event. In the Asian Games the world’s best karatekas appear which make it a world-level event.

Although chances are not that bright that Pakistan will be able to reach to the victory podium in any weight but anything can be expected from the country’s premier fighter Saadi Abbas, who has been showing his class in the world’s major events for some time.

Saadi, who mostly has played in Dubai, recently finished tenth out of 100 fighters in his weight category in 3-karate league. He could not feature in the Morocco Premier League recently because of financial issues.

Saadi’s current world ranking is 46. If he is backed in his mission to feature in maximum international events he can even qualify for 2020 Olympics.Saadi, who fights in the -75kg kumite event, is expected to join the national camp for the Asian Games in the next few days.

“Saadi will inform us in a couple of days about his intent to join the camp,” Jehangir said.Saadi recently clinched gold in Arab League, said Jehangir. Saadi has won a gold medal and two bronze medals in Asian Championships.

In July this year, he is expected to pull another medal when Pakistan take part in the Asian Championship in Jordon. “Believe me Saadi has the chance to win in Asian Games. He is a wonderful fighter. He has a decent record in Asian Championships but the pressure of Asian Games is different. Let’s see how Saadi plays in Indonesia,” Jehangir said.

Saadi has to his credit two gold in the Commonwealth Championships and a gold in the US Open.In the Asian Games, PKF intends to field six male and six female fighters. But it will all depend on the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) which is to provide money for Pakistan contingent’s participation in the continent’s biggest showpiece.