Federation considers better publicity, Iranian coach and league revival to enhance
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s disappointing marketing campaign on the twentieth Asian Video games in Nagoya has prompted the nation’s kabaddi authorities to contemplate adjustments aimed toward restoring Pakistan’s standing in a sport by which it was as soon as a significant drive on the worldwide circuit.
For the primary time within the historical past of the Asian Video games, Pakistan returned with no medal in kabaddi. The group failed to succeed in the semi-finals after struggling a 51-30 defeat by Iran in a vital group match. Nonetheless, the most important setback got here in opposition to Thailand, a comparatively inexperienced opponent, who edged Pakistan 48-45 to severely dent their semi-final hopes.
“Sure, it was unlucky that we returned with no medal for the primary time in 4 a long time,” Pakistan Kabaddi Federation’s (PKF) Secretary Basic and former nationwide captain Mohammad Sarwar informed The Categorical Tribune.
“We had been main Thailand by 14 factors, however we misplaced the match within the final seven minutes. It was heartbreaking for all of us,” Sarwar mentioned.
He recognized an absence of worldwide publicity as one of many important causes behind Pakistan’s disappointing efficiency, saying common competitions in opposition to high groups had been important to creating match temperament.
“Our largest challenge is the shortage of publicity. Different groups journey to India and preserve taking part in matches, and that makes a big distinction. We don’t play in opposition to India and infrequently journey overseas, aside from main occasions. We have to enhance our worldwide publicity as a result of match temperament is essential forward of such vital competitions,” Sarwar mentioned.
Pakistan had additionally invited Iran to take part in a joint coaching camp forward of the Asian Video games, however the plan didn’t produce the specified outcomes. “The group often trains in Iran, however the battle involving Iran and the USA prevented Pakistan from travelling there this time,” Sarwar mentioned.
Pakistan have gained seven bronze and two silver medals in kabaddi at earlier Asian Video games, making their failure to succeed in the rostrum a big setback for the nation.
Sarwar acknowledged that Pakistan wanted to pay better consideration to mat kabaddi, the format performed on the Asian Video games, the place barring robust India, Iran and South Korea have made appreciable progress.
“We have to deal with this format. The issue is that circle-style kabaddi is often given precedence in Pakistan. Iran, for instance, deal with Asian-style kabaddi, whereas their circle-style sport is weak,” he mentioned.
“We didn’t count on to return with no medal as a result of we believed our group was aggressive.”
The federation can also be contemplating hiring an Iranian coach in an effort to enhance the group’s efficiency within the Asian-style.
“We at the moment are contemplating hiring an Iranian coach, despite the fact that we had been those who taught them kabaddi. We’ll see how this experiment works,” Sarwar mentioned.
Pakistan’s subsequent goal is the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Video games, the place the federation hopes to construct a stronger squad.
“Our subsequent goal is the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Video games. We’ll construct group and see how the gamers carry out,” Sarwar mentioned.
The sixth Asian Indoor and Martial Video games are penciled in for December 11-21 in Riyadh.
The federation additionally plans to revive its home league, which it believes may assist enhance gamers’ competitiveness and monetary safety.
“We held the Tremendous Kabaddi League a number of years in the past and intend to revive it. Such an occasion is vital if we need to preserve the game alive and strengthen gamers financially,” Sarwar mentioned.
Pakistan started their Asian Video games marketing campaign convincingly, beating Malaysia 65-22 and Nepal 58-43. Nonetheless, consecutive defeats in opposition to Thailand and Iran ended their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
India gained each the lads’s and girls’s kabaddi titles, defeating Iran in each finals. The Indian males secured a 40-34 victory, whereas the ladies gained 37-34.
India’s continued progress has been supported by a high-profile skilled league that gives gamers with common competitors and better publicity. Pakistani gamers additionally featured within the league prior to now, however their participation has been suspended in recent times due to strained political and diplomatic relations between the neighbouring nations.