LAHORE, May 4: The Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) has claimed that the game could be promoted considerably with full support of the government, specially in view of the encouraging results in the ninth SAF Games.
Addressing a news conference, PBF secretary Aamir Hayat Rokri, said on Tuesday that Pakistan performed well in the Games, held recently as it defeated Sri Lanka in the semifinals. Sri Lanka ranks 40th in the world, whereas Pakistan is 120th.
Rokri said that the Indian government was giving its badminton federation an handsome amount of Rs 100 million annually in the form of grants, foreign trips expenses and purchase of equipments. But he said that the PBF was getting only Rs 300,000.
He urged more government patronage and requested a foreign coach for a year pointing out that India had hired a top Indonesian coach for $ 25,000 per month. He said that a four-member Pakistan team would go to India for a two-month tour in October. The team would play in three international tournaments there. The competitions would be held in Hyderabad (India), he said.
Highlighting future plans, he explained that the Pakistan Satellite Tournament, to be held at Liaqat Hall, Islamabad, from Nov 1 to 6, was the main event of the year.
Seven countries namely India, Iran, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bahrain and Syria had already agreed to send their players for this competition. The tournament offers a cash prize of $ 9000 plus free boarding and lodging.
The national junior championship will be held in Karachi this month. Four best players of this championship will go South Korea to participate in the Asian Junior Championship to be held in July.
WAJID WINS SAUDI OPEN
Pakistan top badminton player, Wajid Ali has won the Saudi Open badminton tournament held recently at Dammam, Saudi Arabia, adds APP. Wajid who displayed the glittering trophy at a press conference told the newsmen here Tuesday that he defeated Indian no 3, Anup Sidhar in the final in straight sets.
The tournament, he said, was participated by players from India, Sri Lank, Bahrain, Pakistan and hosts Saudi Arabia. "It was really a tough event as top Indian and Sri Lankan players who are highly ranked world wide took part", he said. Interestingly Wajid beat Indian no 7 in the semifinals.
The victory led Wajid to a cash prize of $ US 1000 and a trophy. Wajid said prior to participation in the Dammam tournament he also played in the Asian Championship held in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.
Wajid said,he lost in the second round of the championship to a top ranking Malaysian player before defeating a Vietnami player in the first round. The second member of the team, Ahsan Waqas lost in the first round to a top Malaysian player.
