Major Initiative Launched to Revive Weightlifting in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A major initiative has been launched to revive weightlifting in Pakistan, address challenges facing the sport and strengthen its national and international standing.

President of the Masters Weightlifting Federation Pakistan, Arshad Khan Turk, has been assigned a key responsibility to support the revival of weightlifting, strengthen international coordination and promote the sport across the country.

In this connection, Arshad Khan Turk held an important meeting with Director General Pakistan Sports Board Yawar Hussain in Islamabad. The meeting reviewed in detail the challenges facing weightlifting in Pakistan, measures for the development of the sport and a comprehensive strategy for its revival.

It was also decided to constitute a three-member committee to address key issues concerning weightlifting, improve coordination with international organisations and strengthen weightlifting activities in Pakistan.

As part of these efforts, a Pakistani delegation led by Arshad Khan Turk also visited Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where it held important meetings with senior officials of the International Weightlifting Federation and Asian Weightlifting Federation.

The delegation met International Weightlifting Federation President Mohamed Jalood, Asian Weightlifting Federation President Yousuf Al Mana and Secretary Saif Harbi. The meetings focused on the challenges confronting weightlifting in Pakistan, restructuring of the federation, international cooperation and measures for the promotion and development of the sport.

The international and Asian officials appreciated the efforts being made to revive weightlifting in Pakistan and assured the Pakistani delegation of their full cooperation and continued engagement with Pakistan.

The Asian Weightlifting Federation also assured full cooperation for the successful hosting of the Asian Masters Weightlifting Championship, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in October.

Sports circles have welcomed the development, terming it a positive step towards the revival of weightlifting in Pakistan. They expressed hope that sustained efforts at the national and international levels would help restore Pakistan’s position in the sport and create new opportunities for Pakistani weightlifters on the international stage.