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LAHORE: Pakistan's leading female swimmer Kiran Khan, who is leaving for the United States, says if the national federation does not accept her terms and conditions, she may not continue to represent Pakistan after completing her education in the next two years.
“I got scholarship in the subjects of sports sciences and sports medicine from the University of Florida, and after completing my two-year education I will decide about my professional career,” 22-year-old Khan told Dawn on Monday.
“If the Pakistan Swimming Federation (PSF) offers me a package of my choice I would respond to it, otherwise, I will opt for an appropriate job in the US,” she added.
“I am not upset with my department [Pakistan Army]. However, I having achieved laurels for the country, am not satisfied with the unsuitable treatment meted out to me by the national federation,” she said.
“My department headed by Brig. Iqtidar is helping me meet 30 per cent of the education expenses [for two years] as the University has only waived off 70 per cent fees,” Kiran said.
She insisted if the PSF required her services it should also meet her demands, adding if the federation was not interested in doing so she might consider the option of not representing the country.
Khan clinched several silver and bronze medals in the last three editions of the South Asian Games besides winning one gold medal in the first South Asian Swimming Championship.
She bagged eight silver and four bronze medals in the ninth SAF Games, six silver and four bronze medals in the 10th and two silver and as many bronze in the 11th edition.
For Army, Khan secured 15 gold medals in the 31st National Games at Peshawar, last December.
When asked what her department's view of the whole situation was, Khan said during the next two years she would follow their instructions but after that she would take every decision keeping her future in mind.
Khan said one of the reasons which compelled her to leave for the US was that she would be able to continue her sport in a more professional manner.
“It has become hard for me to go to train properly in Lahore and juggle my studies at the same time,” she said.
