ISLAMABAD, Oct 15: The six-member Pakistan squad is expected to be granted visas for the first-ever World Taekwondo Championship being held at Darjeeling (India) next week.

“We are hopeful we will succeed in sending our team for the world event being held in India”, the spokesman of Pakistan Sports Board, Muhammad Azam Dar, said on Saturday.

He said contacts have been made with Indian organisers to clear up the situation after objections were raised about visa applications of Pakistani taekwondo squad.

“We are hopeful to succeed in our efforts by Monday and the squad will hopefully leave for India the nextday (Tuesday)”, said the PSB spokesman.

The four players selected for the Oct 21-22 championship, with respective weight categories are: Shahzad Ahmed and Rehmat Jan, both of Pakistan Army, (fin weight and light weight), Kashif Khan of Wapda (bantamweight) and Mujahid Hussain of Pakistan Railways (welterweight).

Naseebullah Babar will accompany the team as manager and Murtaza Hussain as coach.

Up to 10 camp trainees, those who won gold and silver medals in the previous national championships, figured in the final trials held on Oct 1.

Earlier, top 20 players of the country featured in the preliminary camp, who were subsequently reduced to 10.—APP