KARACHI: Pakistan’s young and talented all-round player Saad Asif has said that representing Pakistan in ongoing Asian Students Olympic Games in Sri Lanka and Thailand has been an honour and a great learning experience for him.

The 12-year-old Saad, who has featured in badminton and football events in Bangkok, put up an impressive performances there by winning a silver medal in badminton for his country. “Although I lost the final of Junior U-16 singles event to four years older rival Indian player Ravi Kumar, it was still a great learning experience and would help me in future,” he said in a telephonic conversation.

“If our players get exposure in international tournaments on continuous basis and get opportunity to receive training abroad then Pakistan players can often secure place on victory stands in international arena,” said Saad who is a student of sixth grade at the Army Public School.

He added that featuring in the games and playing against players from Sri Lanka, Thailand and India was an invaluable experience for him.

“These countries provide good infrastructure right from the school level which keeps youngsters involved in sports from a very early stage,” he added. “Even they give diet plans to young athletes. I think these are the reasons that players of those countries seem more fit, both mentally and physically.”

“We played in a very cordial environment with Indian teams and players. The Indian players even showed willingness for bilateral sports ties between the two neighboring countries,” Saad added.

Saad, who also received training at Foundation United Soccer Academy (FUSA), said he wants to become a professional football player in the future.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2018