KARACHI: Col. (Rtd.) Wasim Janjua, President, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation, has said that for the first time in the history of martial arts sports in Pakistan, the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation has introduced complete equipment used in accordance with international standards in the country.

“In the National Championship, to be played from Oct. 28 to November 1, our players will use electronic chest guards, sensors, hand gloves and socks, thus providing our young players with world class equipment in the National Championship and giving them full confidence in future international events,” he said.

Col (r) Janjua expressed these views while addressing a function organized in his honor at the Union Club by the Karachi Sports Foundation. He said that the equipment was procured at a cost of about Rs.17.5 million and would be used for future National Taekwondo Championships, Inter-Provincial Championships, Inter-Divisional Tournaments, Training Courses and Coaching Clinics in the country.

He also thanked President of Pakistan Olympic Association Lt. Gen. (Retd) Syed Arif Hassan, Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Taekwondo Federation Lt. Gen. (retd) Javed Iqbal and Managing Director of Hancock Omar Saeed for their full cooperation and patronage of this historic initiative for the promotion and development of taekwondo in the country.

Member of Pakistan Olympic Association Environment Commission Tehmina Asif, KSF President Syed Wasim Hashmi, Chairman Asif Azeem, Tariq Ali, Sindh Olympic Association Media Coordinator Muhammad Nasir, Masroor Rizvi and Faraz Ijaz were also present on the occasion.

The head of PTF appreciated that under the Green Pakistan Campaign of POA Environment Commission to eliminate environmental pollution and make the environment clean initiated by POA, over 8000 thousand saplings have been planted so far in Sindh in the campaign led by Tehmina Asif.

Janjua said the practical steps taken by the Karachi Sports Foundation for the individual and collective relief of the financially weak athletes, sports organizers and ground staff affected by the coronavirus lockdown are commendable and exemplary. KSF Chairman Asif Azeem said that due to COVID-19 outbreak special arrangements should be made for athletes and spectators at sports complexes, gymnasiums and sports grounds at government and federation level to revive sports activities in the country.

Published in Dawn, October 16th, 2020