ISLAMABAD: A 16-member national jiu-jitsu squad arrived here at the Pakistan Sports Complex on Thursday after participating in the Asian Beach Games held in Vietnamese city of Danang.

Pakistan clinched nine medals — two silver and seven bronze — at the continental games.

Interestingly, despite winning nine medals at the event, no cash award has been announced for the national outfit by the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) or the Ministry of Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC), it emerged on Thursday.

The PSB held a reception for the squad where the IPC Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada gave bouquets and gifts to each player and coach of the touring party.

On the occasion, Pirzada said the government was committed to encouraging sports in Pakistan.

“The government will support all sports including cricket, hockey etc equally,” he said.

Responding to a question, the minister said a summary would be sent to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for awarding cash prize to the jiu-jitsu squad for their noteworthy show in Danang.

The Pakistan squad that competed in the continental event comprised Jahanzeb Rashid (silver medallist), Ahmed Butt (silver), Shahzeb Nawaz (bronze), Hafiz Rafiq, Ameer Hamza (bronze), Mohammad Anwar, Abu Hurraira, Umar Mukhtar, Beenish Khan (bronze), Mohammad Abid (bronze), Mariyam (two bronze), Kashif Javed, Humaira Ashiq (bronze) and Ambreen.

The coaching staff included Tariq Ali and Ameer Mukhtar.

Published in Dawn, September 30th, 2016