Shah Hussain of Pakistan gained bronze on the Asian Championships in 2013 and 2015. Picture: JUDOINSIDE
KARACHI:
Pakistan made a reputation for itself in judo over the previous decade when Japan-based Olympian Shah Hussain was competing for the nation.
Nevertheless, with Shah now within the twilight of his profession, Pakistan has been unable to provide one other fighter able to competing at main occasions such because the Asian Video games, which start later this month in Japan.
Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) is presently specializing in creating cadets and juniors, however it’s going to take time for them to achieve the extent required to compete at such main occasions. The PJF additionally didn’t subject a judoka on the final Islamic Video games.
This correspondent has learnt that Pakistan is not going to compete in judo on the Asian Video games this time.
Pakistan had thought of securing Shah Hussain’s participation within the Video games, however on the time he was not prepared for the problem. Shah later competed on the Glasgow Commonwealth Video games. Makes an attempt by this correspondent to contact him have been unsuccessful, as he didn’t reply to calls.
Shah raised Pakistan’s profile in judo by qualifying twice for the Olympics by way of the continental quota. It was a proud second for the nation when the Japan-based fighter competed on the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in his adopted hometown.
He additionally started one other marketing campaign to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics however withdrew halfway due to harm and monetary difficulties. Judo athletes face a demanding two-year qualification course of, and lacking occasions throughout that interval can considerably cut back their possibilities of reaching the game’s largest stage.
The PJF had ready Shah’s potential successor in Qaisar Afridi. Nevertheless, Afridi left Pakistan when he was starting to emerge as a promising worldwide fighter.
Qaisar was additionally a part of the qualification course of for the 2024 Paris Olympics, however monetary difficulties and different associated points compelled him to hunt higher alternatives by settling in England.
This correspondent understands that Qaisar has utilized for asylum in England and that his case remains to be in progress. He additionally hopes to characterize England sooner or later.
Qaisar had been creating quickly, and even Shah had acknowledged his expertise, describing him as certainly one of Pakistan’s future stars. However his departure halfway by way of his profession has left a major hole in Pakistan’s judo programme.
Filling that void would require a sustained push from the federation to rebuild a staff able to competing at main world and continental occasions.