ISLAMABAD - The Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) ministry and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) have granted NOC to Pakistan junior players for the upcoming Youth Tenpin Bowling World Cup in America from July 22 to August 6.
Pakistan Tenpin Bowling Federation (PTBF) secretary Ijazur Rehman revealed this during an exclusive interview with The Nation on Thursday. “The four-member team and two officials selected for the event include top junior bowler Sardar Ahmer Abbas Saldera, Ali Surya, Yasir Jan and Danyal Syed, while I will accompany the team as coach and experienced M Hussain Chatha as team manager,” he said.
“I have the almost 20 years of international experience of playing in almost all the major tenpin bowling events around the globe, so I feel it will be better to accompany the youngsters. Hussian Chatha is also highly professional and represented the country in countless international championships,” he added.
Ijaz said he had requested the PSB to release special grant as early as possible. “I want to take the team at least 10 days earlier prior to the start of the mega event as it will definitely help the youngsters to adjust to the alley, where the event will be held as the oiling of alley create too many problems for the players. I hope he PSB will release funds by the first week of July, so that we may embark on the event. We have pinned great hopes on both Ahmer and Ali, as they are future of Pakistan bowling.”
“In case, the PSB grant is delayed, we will be left with no other option but to depart as per schedule, but it will badly hurt our cause and can cost us title. For the very first time, the things are looking bright for Pakistan in the Youth World Cup, while after winning doubles title partnering me in Russia, Ahmer’s confidence is sky high,” he added.
He said he had time and again requested the PSB to arrange international coach for Pakistani youth, but despite making promises of providing coach, nothing in reality was done so far. “Our youth is highly talented, but they lack international exposure and quality coaching. We will invite Ali, Ahmed and Danyal to Islamabad in the first week of July so that they may train together and understand each other’s game.”
Ijaz said he had submitted detailed report to the PSB two years ago regarding establishing international standard 12-lane bowling alley, and PSB executive committee also gave approval for it, but strangely no action was taken on the recommendations. “In Pakistan, there is no system, we have to keep fowling files for years and years. The IPC minister must take notice why the PSB executive committee decision regarding bowling alley is yet to be implemented.”
“We are going to organise Jashn-e-Azadi Tenpin Bowling Championship starting from August 6 to 14 in Islamabad in which more than 200 bowlers of the country will be seen in action and around top 50 female bowlers have already confirmed their entry. It is national and moral duty of national broadcaster to telecast bowling championship live to promote this game, which is gaining popularity with each passing day,” Ijaz concluded.