Pakistan to host 7th Asian Open Taekwondo Championship in February

The Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) is set to hold the 7th Asian Open Taekwondo Championship from February 13 to 20, 2025, at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.

This will be the third time that Pakistan will be going to host this event, having already hosted the fourth and fifth editions also in 2022 and 2023 in the federal capital.

The 6th Asian Open was held by Indonesia last October.

It’s a huge task for the PTF to generate a hefty amount for holding the event in the most befitting way.

“Yes, we have to collect around Rs70 million through sponsorship,” PTF president Col Wasim told Nukta in a detailed chat from Islamabad.

Col Wasim expects more nations in the event which will also carry under-17 competitions.

“In the fourth event which we had conducted around 15 to 16 teams were there and in the fifth edition this went to 18 nations,” he said.

Asked how he would manage such a big amount Wasim said Allah Almighty will pave the way.

“When you work for a special cause so God helps you and manages means for you,” Wasim said.

“I am expecting something from the state, Pakistan Army and others to come forward and back us in the noble cause. This will play a role in boosting the soft image of Pakistan and will also contribute in the development of taekwondo in the country,” he said.

“In the previous two events we had also provided accommodation and food to the touring nations. England, Somalia, Iran, Scotland and Egyptians were also there in big numbers and we had boarded them at Serena Hotel. This time we would like to charge them little bit which will help us get around Rs10 million from them in terms of accommodation. And if we manage around Rs 40 million then it will help,” he said.

Wasim said that competitions in kyorugi, poomsae and under-17 will be held during this G-2 event.

“We have this time put Under-17 also which was not there in the previous two events which we had hosted. Its basic purpose is to develop nursery. It helps youngsters to get exposure at a very young age and know about the demand of international meets. This gives them confidence,” Wasim said.

Huge contingent

Wasim said that Pakistan will be fielding a huge contingent of around 400 athletes in all categories.

“It’s the best opportunity to give exposure to the talented lot across different events,” he said.

“We have also invited the World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue to grace the event. Last time Asian Taekwondo Union’s (ATU) president had come,” he revealed.

“It takes years to develop the goodwill. It’s not easy to bring such a sport to the top which lacks support and sponsorship. This time I stood up in the WT meeting and told the WT chief that you have made commitments and he should also come to Pakistan,” he said.

“In the working points Pakistan was placed at 103 among 219 member nations. We have achieved a real breakthrough as far as governance is concerned. Every nation cannot hold the World Championship. Nations conducting continental level events also should be awarded world governance points. We have been conducting Asian level events regularly but we have no points at the global level and we have told the world body to change the criteria.”

Wasim plans to get exposure for national lot before this event which Pakistan will be hosting.

“Before this event Pakistan will field its athletes in the 11th Fujairah Open which will be held early February. And after that they will play in the event in Pakistan. It means that our senior fighters can lift 40 points, 20 each, from these two events,” Wasim said.

Wasim said that camp for the 7th Asian Open and Fujairah Open will be held in early January.

“I had held a meeting with the Director General of Pakistan Sports Board and he told me to hold our camp in the first week of January. Currently Quaid-e-Azam Games are being conducted in Islamabad,” Wasim said.

Asked about the plans to boost tourism through this event Wasim said that they take the touring nations to the important recreational spots including Murree, Taxila, Skardu, Gilgit Baltistan.

“We do this but it’s important that state also assists in this. For, now, we have been doing it through solo effort which always is difficult,” Wasim signed off.