LAHORE - The 1st Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Pakistan Open International Taekwondo Championship (G-1) will be conducted at the Liaquat Gymnasium of Pakistan Sports Complex, Islamabad on November 6. 

“As many as 419 international and national athletes will feature in the championship. Around 125 will be international players while 375 national male and female players will be competing in different disciplines of the championship. Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Dr Fhemida Mirza will be chief guest at the opening ceremony on Nov 6,” Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) President Col (R) Wasim Ahmed said this during a press conference held at a local hotel on Monday. “ 

He added that besides hosts Pakistan, Afghanistan, Albania, Nepal, Jordon, Kazakhstan, Oman, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Morocco, United Arab Emirates (UAE), El-Salvador, Croatia, and WT Refuge Team would compete for 16 gold medals in the championship. “We have international standard equipment to meet the international challenges and the PTF is capable of staging such mega events. 

“Our aim is to promote the game and highlight the positive image of the Pakistan across the world through sports. We have lot of support of PSB and POA in organizing this event in a befitting manner. I thank all our sponsors as well for making this event possible,” he said. 

Replying to a query, he said: “The PTF had also invited India for this event but they didn’t respond to the invitation. India has good taekwondo players especially girls and we, along with other countries, invited them as well. Many countries are not coming for this event owing the airfares that have going high due to COVID-19 pandemic. But we have enough entries and a large number of players and officials will be in Islamabad for the mega event,” he asserted. 

Wasim said young boys and girls aged 18 and above would be participating in the seniors’ fixtures. “International referees from Pakistan will be joined by other international referees for the smooth conduct of this prestigious event.” He also acknowledged and appreciated the whole-hearted support provided by the South Asian President Omar Saeed.