PESHAWAR (APP): Upcoming and talented Obaid Ullah clinched the gold medal after upsetting his strong rival Sahib Khan in the final of the -58kg weight category part of the Mardan Spring Sports Festival Taekwondo Championship which concluded at Mardan Sports Complex on Sunday.
Nazim Mardan Ihtisham Khan was the chief guest on this occasion. Naib Nazim Asad Kashmiri, Secretary Pakistan Taekwondo Federation Murtaza Hassan, Chairman KP Taekwondo Association Ilyas Afridi, President Mardan Taekwondo Association Javed Akbar and Secretary Tariq Khan, international Taekwondo player who recently won bronze medal in UAE Aysha Ayaz, her father Ayaz Khan, Regional Sports Officer and Organizing Secretary Kashif Farhan, players and officials were also present and witnessed the thrill-packed contests.
Promising Obaid Ullah in the -58kg weight category of the Junior Class defeated his strong rival and national player Sahib Khan on points after a thrilling contests enjoyed by a jam-packed spectators present on this occasion. Obaid Ullah used his sharp kicks and agility by toppling his strong rival Sahid Khan on points and won gold medal, his first gold in any event so far. “Winning gold medal is a dream come true,” Obaid Ullah told media men.
“My efforts is continue to win back more medal at national and international levels and winning this gold medal is just a beginning,” Obaid Ullah added. “I also recorded victory against Abdul Qadir in my first contest and in the final defeated Sahib Khan,” Obaid Ullah said. In the -63kg Junior class Muhammad Khan won gold medal by defeating Jawad Khan while Asif Khan won bronze medal.
It was the -68kg weight category in which both Hazrat Ullah and Kashif Ali struggled hard for a single point and at the end Hazrat Ullah won the contests by winning gold medal, followed by Kashif Ali and Haroon Khan.
In the Senior Class another talented Irfan Ullah won gold medal by defeating his strong rival Saif Ur Rehman on points while Fohab Ur Rehman won bronze medal in the -58kg weight. In the -63kg weight category Noor Ullah upset Irfan Khan on points while Talha Javed got bronze medal and in the -68kg weight category Sharif Ullah won gold medal after defeating both the silver medalist Ali Muhammad and bronze medalist Inam Ullah.
In his brief chat, Naib Nazim Asad Kashmir appreciated Regional Sports Officer Kashif Farhan for holding the Spring Sports Fesitval Taekwondo Championship. He said the district govt. would support Regional Sports Officer for holding Inter-Club Taekwondo Championship wherein clubs from across the province would take part.
He said the Dsitrict Govt is spending all 5 percent allocated grant on sports and that is why organizing many sports events at district level. He said efforts would be taken to facilitate the players of District Mardan in every game. “We want to promote traditional games as well,” Asad Kashmiri said.
In his speech, Nazim Mardan Ihtisham Khan said that the present government is giving due importance to the healthy sports activities so that to involve the youth to come and show their hidden talent. He announced holding of Inter-Regional Tournaments of various games in Mardan while a mega Youth and Cultural Festival would be organized in April this year.
He said each and every deserving player would be supported both financially and morally. He appreciated holding of Taekwondo Championship in connection with Spring Festival in which more games would be conducted.
He also lauded DG Sports Junaid Khan for extending all out support in provision of playing fields to the players in each of the Tehsil. He directed Regional Sports Officer Kashif Farhan to organize a Sports Festival inside Mardan Prison in which opportunities would be given to the prisoners to take active part. At the end, the chief guest gave away trophies, medals and cash prizes to the position holders.
