Pakistan likely to field athletes in 14 disciplines at 3rd Asian Youth Games

Pakistan is expected to field athletes in 14 disciplines at the 3rd Asian Youth Games scheduled to be held in Bahrain from October 22 to 31.

While Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) is anticipated to fully or partially sponsor several squads, some federations may receive no financial backing. Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) has secured accreditation cards for 52 male and 13 female athletes, along with 24 male and four female officials across 14 disciplines. However, the exact composition of the contingent including the number of athletes, coaches and officials is still being finalized and largely depends on the financial capacity of the respective national federations as the PSB has not committed to covering all expenses.

Pakistan is expected to participate in aquatics, athletics, badminton, boxing, golf, judo, ju-jitsu, kabaddi, table tennis, taekwondo, teqball, triathlon, volleyball and wrestling.

Notably the Esports Federation of Pakistan failed to submit required accreditation details to the POA before the deadline and will therefore not be part of the Games.

Kabaddi's debut

Kabaddi will make its debut at the Asian Youth Games. Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) had earlier organized a training camp in Islamabad which was later disbanded when its approved timeframe expired. The PKF requested the PSB to resume the camp but due to the upcoming Prime Minister National Youth Games scheduled for early September in Islamabad players have been sent back to their respective provinces for training and participation in the national event.

“We will resume our camp after the National Youth Games,” a senior PKF official told Nukta.

This inaugural kabaddi event at the Asian Youth Games will feature players under 18 years of age and under 70kg.

“We are hopeful our team will finish on the podium,” the official added.

Volleyball is another discipline where Pakistan will be represented. Pakistan Volleyball Federation (PVF) has requested the PSB’s approval to hold a training camp in Islamabad starting August 20. A mix of U-19 and U-16 players will be considered for selection and 12 final players will be shortlisted for the Games.

A PVF official confirmed that the PSB has assured its support for the team.

Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) has selected Ahmed Adnan to represent the country in the Asian Youth Games. He will also compete in the Asian Youth, Cadet, and Junior Judo Championship in Amman, Jordan, from August 17 to 24. Adnan will be accompanied by one official in Bahrain.

In wrestling Pakistan will field three athletes including Abdur Rehman (freestyle), Usman Leghari (beach wrestling), and Hasan Ali (freestyle and beach wrestling). Renowned wrestler and PWF Secretary Mohammad Inam Butt will serve as coach. The PSB has agreed to sponsor two wrestlers and an official while the PWF will sponsor the third athlete. The wrestlers are currently training in Lahore with the camp set to be shifted to Gujranwala on August 17.

Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) will send two boxers including national champion Huzaifa (55kg, Gujranwala) and Jehad Khan (60kg, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) along with coach Tariq Siddiqui. A PBF official confirmed that the federation will fund the trip independently. Additionally, the federation plans to send 15 boxers, including the Youth Games-bound pair, to China for a two-week training camp next week.

In table tennis, Fatima Danish and Abdaal will represent Pakistan. They will be accompanied by Ijaz Ali, the Secretary of the Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF), according to a senior federation official.

The 3rd Asian Youth Games mark Bahrain’s first time hosting the event. It will feature 24 sports and 253 events with participation from 45 countries. A total of 124 events will be held for male athletes and 114 for female athletes. The athletes and officials will be accommodated in 20 hotels across the host city.