Three Pakistanis to feature in Asian Games bodybuilding

LAHORE: A three-member Pakistan team will take part in the Asian Games bodybuilding competition, to be held in Doha, Qatar in December.

?Mohammad Atif, Khalid and Sohaib Zahoor will represent the country in the grand event,? said President of the Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation (PBBF), Lt Col (retd) Mohammad Yahya here on Monday.

He added that all the musclemen are good medal prospects and high hopes are attached with them because of their physique. ?They are preparing for the Games under the supervision of experienced coaches and the PBBF is monitoring their progress,? he said adding, ?The PBBF will be providing them all the help in terms of high protein diet and training to face a tough challenge.?

Yahya, who was recently elected President of the PBBF, said Pakistan has good track record in the Games and this time too expectations are high in view of the preparations of the musclemen.

He said the PBBF would announce its annual activity programme after getting its approval from its General Council which will be held here next month. ?We will be unfolding an ambitious activity programme specially focusing on activity of juniors to hunt talent,? he said.

The PBBF chief said the game of bodybuilding suffered in the last three years due to an inactive federation which eventually become defunct because of various reasons and now new efforts are being made to lift the game.

He pointed out that he wants to evolve a plan to involve clubs in the revival of the game as there are scores of clubs which are grooming bodybuilders. ?Youth has a passion for this sport because they want to improve their physique and muscles and by doing that way they can also get the opportunity to take part in the trials or talent hunt programmes.?

Yahya said he is under heavy load of responsibility to revive and organise the game under a long-term plan. ?The PBBF will be having a brainstorming session with all the stalwarts of the game to seek their suggestions which will be given due consideration for promoting the game on modern lines,? he observed.

He said training facilities and the best available diet will be provided to the young bodybuilders besides all the major activities including Mr and Junior Mr Pakistan competitions and similar events at the districts level will be revived by involving all the affiliated units of the PBBF.

Source: english.people.com.cn