ISLAMABAD - Pakistani players Syed Maratib Ali Shah, Ijaz Ahmed and Maaz Khan look highly positive about their chances of winning gold medals in Wushu in their respective weight categories in the coming SAF Games in India next year.
All the three guys are the top Wushu players of the country and hold national record of being unbeaten in their respective weight categories for the last decade or so and had already won laurels at international stage. Talking exclusively to The Nation on Monday, Maratib, Ijaz and Maaz looked highly satisfied with the training camp established at the Pakistan Sports Complex in connection with SAF Games for the last five-month. Sharing his views, Maratib, who started Wushu in 1999 at Red Dragon Wushu and Kungfu Academy, Kasoor under the watchful eyes of coach Ramazan had won gold medals in SAF Games 2006 in Sri Lanka and 2011 in Bangladesh in 65kg category. He had also won bronze medals in 2006 in Asian Games in Doha and 2014 in Korea. Maratib had also won silver medal in world championships in Maccu in 2008, bronze medals in Iran in 2007 and Thailand in 2011 and now is training under national coach Malik Usman. He had also got training in China, Thailand and Iran, terming Pakistani coaches are no less than any top coach of the world. “We only lack facilities, which I must admit now quite improved and the basic thing we don't get enough opportunities to play in national and international competitions,” he said, adding the National Wushu championship is held only once in a year and this year the championship is yet to be held. Maratib further said: “We have worked very hard in the training camp and are almost certain of performing well in the SAF Games.” When asked in case SAF Games are postponed or Pakistan didn't take part then what would be the players reaction and what would be plan B, Maratib replied in case the SAF Games are postponed or Pakistan contingent didn't participate, players would be highly dejected as all our hard work and training would be wasted and we have to wait for several months to get back into shape, as we don't know when would be next international event, weather Pakistani players get invitation or not.” However, he was quite satisfied with the federation’s performance.
He was full of praise for PSB for providing international standard gears, equipment, which is produced both locally and also imported from China. He was of the view like Wapda, other departments must provide jobs to Wushu players, inter-department championships should be conducted and arrange tours of players. We have to bear expenses from our own pockets as no one bothers to sponsor us, it is my request, we had always done remarkably well at international stage, government must lend helping hand and also private sector should play their due role, I am unbeaten in -65 since 2000,” he added.
He also urged the PSB to arrange fighting rings in other provinces as well, as ring is only available in Islamabad and that too was installed only last year. “If other centers also had rings, then we will benefit a great deal and our medal chances at international level also boost, Wushu is the only sports, in which Pakistani players always manage to win a medal, we need government support to further boost our chances on international stage,” Maratib added.
Sharing his views, Ijaz Ahmed, national champion for the last 14 years in running in 75kg category said: “I had won silver medal in Asian Games in 2010 in China and won gold medal in SAF Game sin 2006 in Colombo in 75kg category. “I have very minimum opportunities to get participation at international level due to lack of same category players. I also participated in world championship in 2012 in Turkey and finished 5th,” he added. He said that if opportunities of training were provided to them at international level against top players then they can easily win lot of medals. “I am permanent employee of WAPDA since 2001 and strongly recommends other departments must also step forward and provide jobs to players as it would further attract youngsters towards Wushu,” he added.
Pakistan's arguably most brightest medal prospect and winner of 2010 SAF Games gold medal Maaz Khan is highly unlucky, as despite being the national champion since 2006 and remained undefeated, winner of international gold medal, the player (Maaz) is working as security guard at Karachi Port Trust and had to perform official duties when camps are off. Maaz requested the KPT chairman to give him his due right as he had won silver medal in Paras Cup in Iran in 2011. He demanded cash incentives should also be given to Wushu players and round the year training camps must be ensured, as only camps for a specific period of time are by no means enough to compete against the best in the business. “I lost in the quarterfinal of the Asian Games in 2010 in China but now I am fully focused and composed and looking forward anxiously to compete in SAF Games,” he added, hopping the government keeping in mind their matchless contributions would pay heed towards their genuine demands and ensure justice to them.