ISLAMABAD: Pakistani athletes continued their impressive show at the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) in Kathmandu on Wednesday as they ended day four by taking the gold medals tally to eight besides 15 silver medals and 13 bronze.

According to the information made available here by the Pakistan Sports Board, Noman Ahmed displayed his class in -50kg karate event and bagged gold medal while the women’s karate team comprising Nargis, Kulsoom, Sana Kausar and Sabira also clinched gold medal with their superb performance.

Besides, Kulsoom Hazara finished second to claim silver in the -55kg karate event.

Likewise, Uzair Rehman earned gold medal in 200m men’s race by clocking a distance of 21:15 seconds while Najma Perveen won silver medal in 200m by completing the distance in 21.15 seconds. Shams-ul-Haq won bronze medal in the discus throw competition.

Meanwhile, Pakistan team consisting of Aisam-ul-Haq, Aqeel Khan, Muzammil Murtaza and Abid won the silver medal in the men’s tennis event while Sara Mansoor, Maheen Aftab, Sara Mansoor and Ushna Sohail won the bronze medal in girls team tennis competition.

In taekwondo, Sidra Batool bagged silver medal while Rabia Kabir won bronze in 25m pistol individual shooting contest.

Meanwhile, a 10-member Pakistan squash contingent flew out to Nepal late Tuesday to feature in the 13th South Asian Games.

“The Pakistan contingent comprises four men and as many women players. While two officicials are also part of it,” secretary Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Group Captain Tahir Sultan said on Wednesday.

The men’s team includes Tayyab Aslam, Farhan Mehboob, Asim Khan and Amaad Fareed whereas Madina Zafar, Faiza Zafar, Amna Fayyaz and Moqaddas Ashraf are part of women’s outfit. Group Captain Irfan Asghar and Fazal Shah are manager and coach respectively.

The individual squash event will commence on December 6. “In men individual, Tayyab Aslam are Farhan Mehboob have been seeded as number one and two. Whereas in women individual event Madina Zafar and Faiza Zafar have been seeded as number three and four,” Tahir said.

In the team event, five teams including Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal would play in men’s competition whereas in women’s team event four teams including Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal will contest for top honours.

According to PSF secretary, Pakistan players were in good shape and capable of finishing at the top. “They have undergone very tough training. I believe they are are capable of winning nothing less than gold medals,” he added.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2019