Daily Times

The Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) has sent an emergency letter to the Pakistan Sports Board seeking a special grant for the country’s top judoka Shah Hussain Shah to ensure his participation in tournaments to qualify for next year’s Olympics in Japan. In a letter addressed to the DG Pakistan Sports Board, President of Pakistan Judo Federation Colonel Junaid Alam has highlighted how the unavailability of funds has damaged Pakistan’s campaign to qualify for the sports greatest extravaganza. “For Tokyo 2020, two years Judo Olympic qualifying period is in progress since 25 May 2018 to 25 May 2020. Various international judo events contribute towards accumulation of ranking points and top ones will be selected in May 2020,” PJF President highlighted in his letter to DG PSB.

“Due to ongoing sports reforms by the Government, funds for even routine international participation could not be released by the PSB. Resultantly, unlike other international athletes of his caliber, Shah could just participate in three ranking events in 16 months. Whereas other average judokas participated in more than 10-12 events so far, even gaining points of participation,” he rued about how lack of funds disturbed Pakistan’s smooth sail. According to Pakistan Judo Federation’s letter, Shah’s rival Indian Judoka Avtar Singh being just three positions up in Olympic ranking has currently been awarded Continental Quota merely due to difference of participation points.

“It is highlighted with concern that Shah has always performed much better than Avtar Singh, by earning twice Asian bronze and thrice 5th place in annual Asian Senior Championship/Asian Games, silver in Commonwealth Games and is South Asian champion since 2014, whereas Singh’s best performance is only 1 bronze, that too in an Asian Open Championship,” the PJF mentioned while highlighting the damages due to unavailability of funds. Of Shah’s two international appearances in 2019, Shah narrowly lost bronze medal fight in Asia-Pacific Senior Championship in May 2019. Following his performance in the World Judo Championship-2019 on 30 August, Shah experienced a huge boost in his World and Olympic ranking. He improved 26 places in his World ranking as he jumped to the 73rd spot from 99. Similarly, he also experienced a 43 places boost in his 2020 Olympics ranking as he moved to the 57th spot from previously held 100. The PJF is now aiming to send Shah in at least seven tournaments in next few weeks. The PJF has also submitted the details of expenses for Shah’s participation in these tournaments. Last week, Shah’s father Hussain Shah – the last individual Olympic medalist from Pakistan – made an emotional appeal to PM Imran Khan seeking support from the government to ensure his son’s participation in the Olympic qualifiers.