Dubai: Two UAE-based boys have got the nod to represent their home country, Pakistan, at the First WTF President’s Cup to be held in Tashkent from August 11 to 13.
Organised by the Uzbekistan Taekwondo Association (UTA) with sanction from the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), the inaugural edition of the competition will bring together nearly 1,000 competitors from across the world. The contest will be held over three days and in three weight divisions, namely Cadet, Junior and Senior.
And for Sharjah-based brothers, 14-year-old Ammar and Sinan Ashfaq Ahmad, who will turn 12 on Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14, this is going to be an experience that neither will forget for a long time.
“Representing Pakistan is something that I have dreamt each and every day ever since I seriously started attending Taekwondo classes. So for me to go and represent my country at my first-ever international event is a moment of pride and fulfilment,” Ammar told Gulf News after a gruelling three-hour session in Ras Al Khaimah under the watchful eyes of Pakistani coach Nader Khan, last week.
“I doubt I will be putting myself under stress and pressure, trying to see if I can win a medal. If a medal has to come, then it will come. My main aim will be to be there representing my country and getting the experience needed with the future in mind,” he added.
“This is our moment. There is always a first time and our time has come to raise our level and see how we can fare representing our country at an international competition. I am sure we are going to enjoy this first-time experience,” Sinan chipped in.
The taekwondo journey for the two students from the North American International School, Al Mizher, started a few years ago when they were introduced to Zeyad Hammad Abu Zahieh, a 7th Dan Kukkiwon based in Sharjah. Abu Zahieh was then also on the team training former Gulf and Asian Taekwondo champion Shaikha Maitha Bint Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The acclaimed Taekwondo International Master and referee’s inputs slowly started yielding results and, by early 2016, Ammar and Sinan’s dad Ashfaq Ahmad approached the Pakistan Taekwondo Federation (PTF) in an attempt to get his two talented sons the backing they needed to enter international competitions around the world. In October 2016, the two boys proceeded to Pakistan to participate in the Pakistan Junior National Championships held in Islamabad.
Ammar may have reached the quarter-final in the under-14 category, but the competition did much more for his development as he got much-needed recognition with officials from the PTF taking note of his potential.
Since then, Ammar has gone on to successfully complete the Kukkiwon’s 2nd Poom Taekwondo Promotion Test in June this year — this despite a right leg ligament injury that left him unable to practice for more than four months.
Ammar’s younger brother Sinan too joined the fray and went on to complete his 1st Poom Taekwondo Promotion Test earlier in March.
“That competition in Islamabad helped us in more ways than one. It started off with Ammar, but in a couple of years Sinan also started doing well, and here they are all set to represent their country,” dad Ashfaq observed.
“The PTF has been showing a lot of interest in them, and they are backing them to do well from now on. This is the sort of encouragement they need to continue improving while also sustaining their interest in their chosen sport,” he added.
Colonel (Retd.) Waeem Ahmad Janjua, President, PTF, noted that the two brothers are fine examples of sportsmen with a dedicated focus and passion for sport. “That is what caught our attention, and we, at the PTF, always encourage young talent to contest at national and international levels,” Col. Janjua said.
Ammar and Sinan will depart with their dad from Dubai to Tashkent on August 8. The weigh-in will be held on August 10 followed by the competition over the following two days.
“We know we’ve got a lot of responsibility as we go to represent Pakistan in an international competition. But we will not allow the pressure to get to us,” Ammar promised.
“It will be a dream come true as we seek to do well and come home, Inshallah, with a medal,” Sinan added with a smile.
