ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL
Islamabad (November 1, 2021):-As many as 419 international and national athletes will take part in the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Pakistan Open International Taekwondo Championship (G-1), which will be kicked off from November 6, 2021 at Liaquat Gymnasium Islamabad, this was revealed by president, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) Col (Retd) Wasim Ahmed in a press conference at a local hotel on Monday.
While unfolding the details of the international event, he further told journalists that 375 national male and female local players would be competing in the different disciplines. “Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fhemida Mirza will be chief guest on the opening ceremony on November 6, as all the arrangements have been given final touches and me and my team will make the event historical. Around 125 international players and technical officials will be in Islamabad for this mega event. Besides hosts Pakistan, Afghanistan, Albania, Nepal, Jordon, Kazakhstan, Oman, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Morocco, United Arab Emirates (UAE), El-Salvador, Croatia, and WT Refuge Team will fight for 16 gold medals, “he added.
“We have international standard equipment to meet the international challenges and PTF is capable of staging such a great event. Our aim is to promote the game and highlight the positive image of Pakistan across the world through sports. We have a lot of support from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) to organize this event. I thanked all the people , especially our sponsors, “head of the federation further added.
Responding to a question he divulged that PTF had also invited India for this event but they did not respond. “India has good taekwondo players, especially girls. Anyhow, we sent invitations to all countries. Many countries are not coming for this event owing to the airfares that have gone high due to covid-19. We have enough entries and a large number of players and officials will be in Islamabad for the mega taekwondo showpiece, “he said.
He said that the young boys and girls mostly aged 18 and above would be going to participate in seniors’ fixtures. “International referees from Pakistan and abroad will be joined by various other International referees for the smooth conduct of this prestigious championship. PTF will deliver, in every sense, the warmest and friendliest COAS Pakistan Open International (G1) Taekwondo Championship in sincere spirit and genuine warmth in our beautiful capital Islamabad, “he viewed.
He also acknowledged and appreciated the whole hearted support provided by the South Asian President Omar Saeed. Sponsor’s played a vital role in facilitating the event. I would like to thank all my sponsors’ Combaxx Sports, Fruit Nation, Go Petroleum, Bank Islami, The Bank of Punjab, Nayyab Labs, Korean Embassy, Islamabad Serena Hotel and Shangrilla Resorts. “The athletes will compete for gold and glory across 16 male and female different medal categories, “he concluded.
