Pakistan Announces National Team

Pakistan is sending an impressive 25-member squad to the 9th South Asian Federation (SAF) Games. The team, announced last weekend in Islamabad, will include Olympians Muhammad Akram and Zahid Ali Prizada.

Akram is a member of the Pakistan Navy and as well as the Sydney Olympics, Akram has competed at three World Championships. He was also Pakistan national champion from 1993 – 95.

This is the first time that rowing will be part of the SAF Games which is to be held in Islamabad from 29 March to 7 April. It is also the fourth attempt by Islamabad to stage the games that have been thrice postponed due political circumstance.

After the SAF Games Pakistan will select the team for this year’s Asian Olympic qualifying regatta due to be held in Shanghai, China from 21 – 24 April. Pakistan will be aiming to qualify in two Olympic events in Shanghai – the men’s single and the men’s lightweight double. Akram and Ali Prizada are considered favourites to make the team for Shanghai.

The squad will leave for Shanghai after the SAF Games to work on acclimatisation.  

The SAF Games are a regional mini-competition that includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India. Pakistan is to send 400 competitors and plans are well under way for the March 29 extravaganza opening ceremony.