Karachi: The Pakistan Taekwondo team departed for Baku, Azerbaijan, through a private airline to participate in the World Taekwondo Championships (G-14) held from May 29 to June 4 at Crystal Hall in Baku. Approximately 1,200 athletes from various countries will participate in the event.
In the national squad, the gold medalists of the South Asian Games in the -58kg category, Haroon Khan, along with Hamza Omar Saeed in the +87kg category, Shahzeb in the -54kg category, and Arbaz Khan in the -68kg category, are included. Hamza Omar Saeed heads the team, while Yousuf Krami serves as the team coach, Ashfaq Ahmed as the manager, and Faisal Butt as the trainer. Before their departure, Chairman Higher Education Commission, Professor Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, distributed official kits among the players of the national squad.
Professor Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed stated that Pakistan has immense talent in Taekwondo players, and if these players are further groomed, they can undoubtedly raise Pakistan’s flag high in international tournaments. He emphasized that they should not take any fight lightly and strive to bring medals and joy to the nation. HEC will continue to play its role in discovering new talent in various sports, including HEC Taekwondo.
President of the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation, Colonel Wasim Janjua, stated that the selected players for the World Taekwondo Championships have received 17 days of training in Iran last month. He expressed confidence in the physical and mental fitness of our athletes and stated that they would showcase their 100% performance and make efforts to reach the victory stand. On this occasion, CO Omar Saeed and Secretary of Pakistan Universities Sports Board, Javed Maiman, along with other personalities, were also present.