Three wrestlers named for Asian Beach Games

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) finalised a three-man squad for the upcoming 1st Asian Beach Games scheduled to be held in Bali, Indonesia, from October 18 to 28. The fourth member of the team will be selected in a couple of days. Haider Ali, Muhammad Ali and Usman Majeed have been selected after short trails on Thursday held in the premises of Pakistan Sports Complex in which a low number of wrestlers showed their power. Also, Associate Secretary Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Lt. Col Muhammad Yahya was present on this eve and observed the trails. The secretary Pakistan Wrestling Federation Chaudhary Muhammad Asgher arrived here on Thursday suddenly and organised the trials to select three players for international wrestling event of 45 Asian countries. At this occasion, secretary PWF Chaudhary Muhammad Asgher said that Bashir Bohla Bhola could not appear in the trials due to injury problems. He would be given a chance to recover from his injury and appear in the trials which will conducted be held only for him after two or three days. "He will fight will Muhammad Tehseen to get berth in the Bali bound squad. If he is fit, he will compete in 85+ weight category for medal in Bali Games 2008," he added. "We have bright chances to claim medals in the beach games and our two or three players would win the medals for the country. Usman Majeed had won the medal in the world beach games 2007, which were held in Turkey. Haider Ali (65kg), Muhammad Ali (70kg) and Usman Majeed (80kg) have been selected for the international event," he said. Responding to a question, Muhammad Asghar said that Pakistan's four wrestlers would also participate in the World Youth Games 2008 to be held in Pune, India, before the starting of the Bali Games. "Our eight players are abroad for training and four will be selected for the Youth Games. The foreign coach is also with the boys and he will select the final squad after analysing the performance of the boys during the Iran tour, "he viewed. He said that Pakistan Sports Trust (PST) had provided full financial support to the players. "PST donated US$14,500 for the Iran tour. However, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) also fulfilled our all demands during the camp, which will be run till depart for competitions. We are satisfied with the facilities and we will produce results in these competitions," he said. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan would participate in the six sports events of the 1st Asian Beach Games 2008 including handball, volleyball, bodybuilding, kabaddi, sailing and wrestling. 

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