Pakistan dominated the inaugural rowing regatta at the 9th South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in Islamabad, Pakistan. The host country won six of the seven events that put them in a favourable position for this month’s Asian Olympic Qualification Regatta. 

Held under excellent weather conditions on Rawal Lake in Islamabad, Pakistan had their clean sweep broken only by India‘s combination of Jenil Krishnan and Inderpal Singh who won the men’s pair.  Sri Lanka held their own winning five silver and two gold medals. Afghanistan, in their first time competing, took away five bronze medals ? an outstanding achievement. 

Pakistan‘s Olympian, Muhammad Akram won both the open and lightweight single. There are high expectations on Akram who is Pakistan‘s most accomplished rower having participated internationally throughout the 1990s and gained gold medals at the Central Asian Games. Although Akram has competed less since the 2000 Olympics, he looks to be on track to participate in his second Olympic Games. Fellow Olympian Zahid Ali Pirzada joined Zohaib Zia to win the lightweight men’s double. 

Training will continue for Pakistan and director of the Pakistan Rowing Federation, Rizwan Ul Haq said the Games have been a great help for the team in their preparation for participating in the Asian Olympic Qualification Regatta. This is to be held in Shanghai, China from 21 ? 24 April.  

The SAF Games continue until 7 April and currently India leads the overall medal tally. The Games include 14 different sports and the biggest teams are from India and Pakistan 

The SAF Games were first held in 1984 and represent friendly competition between Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Maldives. Males represented rowing from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka.