“The two players didn't undergo any camp and have featured in only two tournaments during the last year. However, their performance in the recently concluded Maldives International Badminton Championship shows that they have great potential and if they get proper exposure in the international arena they can easily break into World top 50 rankings in the doubles ranking which is enough to qualify for the Olympics,” Naqi told PPI.
Rizwan and Kashif clinched the doubles title in Maldives Challenge after pulling some sensational upsets throughout their winning spree in the event.
Maldives Challenge, which had participants from 15 countries, offered world ranking points and a total prize of US$ 15,000.
Naqi also appreciated Pakistan's top singles player Wajid Ali, who reached Maldives Challenge men's singles quarters, where he lost his match to favourite and World No. 47 Koukal Petr of Czech Republic.
“We lack funds to send the players in international tournaments as other countries send their players. India sends its badminton players regularly and we can see where they stand in the international arena,” Naqi explained.
He said that Rizwan and Kashif reached the 62nd spot in the world circuit last year however the pair slumped because they didn't participate in international events regularly.
He further said that the game of badminton is not in the training camp list of sports of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).
“Many players of other sports get training backed by the PSB but badminton players are deprived of that. However, PSB has told us that they would include badminton in the upcoming financial year, let's see what happens,” he said.
“I have strong conviction that if our top doubles pair feature in around six international world ranking tournaments a year, they can break into the top 50 in the international circuit ahead of the Olympics in 2012, subsequently securing a berth in the prestigious event,” he said.
He added that competing in Olympics is the biggest dream of any player and the greatest honour for the country they represent. - PPI
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