LAHORE Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) has been accused of sending an incompetent referee on a 'joy trip' to Bangkok in the month of July which could dent the country's reputation in the martial arts circuit.

In a press statement issued by Samina Khan, President Pakistan Women Judo Federation, it has been alleged that Major Zulfiqar Ahmed, who is a football coach in the Pakistan Army, was sent by the president of the PJF Col.

Rana Shujaat Ali, to Bangkok to attend the International Judo Federation Referees Examination, which was organized by the Judo Union of Asia.

'This examination is only for senior Judo players and National Judo referees who hold a minimum rank of 2nd Dan Black Belt from the International Judo Federation and who have at least a four-year valid referee license at the national level and a minimum of seven years experience as a Judoka,' she said.

Samina further accuses 'Incidentally, Major Zulfiqar, who is a football coach, did not have any of the aforementioned qualifications. He has very little or no knowledge of the sport of Judo and was sent to Bangkok on this joy trip merely because he is working in the Army Sports Directorate under Col. Shujaat and was the secretary of the Ad hoc Committee that elected Col. Shujaat as the President of the Pakistan Judo Federation. To reward him for this kindness, Col. Shujaat sent him on this joy trip to Bangkok'.

'Major Zulfiqar failed in this International Referee Examination and according to Mr. Kawaguchi, Referee Director of Judo Union of Asia, the Major had very poor knowledge of Judo,' she said.

 'If in his place a more deserving candidate was sent, it would have benefited the sport of Judo a lot. But the federation found it fit to waste away so much money on this joy trip of Major Zulfiqar.'

She asked the Ministry of Sports and the Pakistan Sports Board to hold an enquiry into the sordid affair and to take action against the federation.