ISLAMABAD, July 14: Pakistan is to hire foreign coaches for judo, karate and shooting as part of preparations for the SAF Games, a top official disclosed on Thursday. Brig. Arif Mahmud Siddiqui, the Director General of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) told Dawn that services of two coaches for shooting and one each for judo and karate were being sought.

“We have sent the case to the Sports Ministry for approval and hopefully it will be cleared in about two weeks.”

For karate, Pakistan want Iranian Ahmed Safi who has had a stint with the national players previously. “I think he should have no problems in coming over right away.”

Safi trained the players for the SAF Games in Islamabad last year and also coached the squad that took part in the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia earlier this year.

Judo will also see an Iranian coming on to the scene while for shooting Chinese coaches are to be hired. “In shooting we will have a coach each for pistol and rifle events,” Arif said.

“Negotiations had been on between the respective federations for quite sometime and we have now been informed of their choices which we have okayed and forwarded to the Ministry.”

The PSB has also offered the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) that they too can have foreign coaches. “I have suggested to them to have one for sprints and the other for hurdles which are our strong points.”

“The federation is keen to have them and have had talks with some Russian coaches in this regard.