Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (November 17, 2021):-Pakistan WAPDA claimed the title of Pakistan Diamond Jubilee Chief Minister Balochistan Judo Cup 2021 after collecting 10 gold medals during the 5-day event that concluded yesterday at Ayub Stadium Quetta.
According to an official of Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF), this mega judo event was organized by PJF in collaboration with the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Balochistan, and Balochistan Judo Association (BJA). Pakistan Wapda team clinched 3 golds, 1 silver, and 1 bronze medal in men’s category along with 7 gold medals in women’s contests. Higher Education Commission (HEC) finished in second position after winning 1 gold, 3 Silver, and 3 bronze medals in the men’s section with three golds, 1 silver, and one bronze medal in the women’s category.
This championship featured a total of about 14 teams belonging to several different provinces, departments, and cities of the country which included: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), WAPDA, Railways, Police, Navy and Higher Education Commission (HEC).
The competitions of men were held in ten different weight categories of -50 KG, -55 KG, -60 KG, -66 KG, -73 KG, -81 KG, -90 KG, -100 KG, +100 KG and Open weight, while for the women category, the competitions were contested in 8 different weight categories which includes: -40 KG, -44 KG, -48 KG, -52 KG, -57 KG, -63 KG, -70 KG and Open weight.
For the First time in the history of Pakistan, Mix Team competitions were included. In the Mix team, -66 KG,-90 KG, +90 KG for men, while -52 KG,-70 KG, and +70 KG in the Women's Team Event.
In the Mix Team Competition Pak-Wapda team got 1st position, Navy got 2nd while KP and HEC obtained 3rd position in this first time Mix team event.
Director-General Balochistan Sports Board, Durro Baloch was chief guest at the closing ceremony of this mega event. The Director PSB Centre, Quetta, along with the Executive Members of Pakistan Judo Federation was also present at the occasion.
Durro Baloch said on this occasion: we appreciate the struggles of the Balochistan Judo Association, Specially Dr. Bashir Ahmed President and Noor Ahmed Secretary General of Balochistan Judo Association for the promotion of Judo in Pakistan. The event, organized at Quetta by Pakistan Judo Federation was not an easy task as they have done all the necessities of the Championship in a very short span of time since, as affected all over the world by Covid-19 and pandemic situation.
Before the Competition, Pakistan Judo Federation conducted the 3 days National Referee Seminar and Examination from 9-11 Nov 2021. It was a good opportunity to learn and exchange and clarify all aspects related to Judo competition and refereeing, in order to continue our activity in harmony, showing a positive image of Judo in our country.