Latest news with #SindhOlympicAssociation
Express Tribune
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Olympian Sabrina will attempt to climb K2
"I really did it, finally arrived in Skardu 2 days ago, after an incredibly difficult and challenging day from Gilgit to Skardu," the four-time Olympian judoka Sabrina Filzmoser texted as she achieved the incredible feat of becoming the first woman in Pakistan's history to complete the journey of 2,324 km in just 10 days. This is the first time a female cyclist has covered a long-distance ride in such a short time under extreme weather conditions, according to the Pakistan Judo Federation. Sabrina has been a breath of fresh air for the local judo clubs, as well as along the way, where she trained with the youngsters, highlighting the conditions they are pursuing in the sport. The greatest feature of Sabrina's journey has been her open-hearted interactions with the people on the road and those she met at her stops. She has been featuring Pakistani music on her Instagram as well as the incredible moments from her experience on Pakistani roads. Her efforts show that she has been immersed in the Pakistani culture through her incredible initiative. This is also the second time that the 2011 and 2008 European Judo Championship gold medallist is in Pakistan, previously she visited and trained the locals in judo and cycling on her journey in 2023. But this time it is different because the 44-year-old is fulfilling her aim of riding from the sea level to K2. On her reaching in Skardu Sabrina reflected on her effort with joy and pride. "It was a challenging day from Gilgit to Skardu, 14 hours on the road, rain, heat, headwind, crosswind, mudslides, rockfalls, blockages, technical issues, but it's all done and dusted. Safely in Gilgit-Baltistan," she text this correspondent on Thursday. "Now I will spend time preparing for the expedition, working on the permits, train with the Baltistan cycling club and the Judokids. "Then there'll be a possible one further section on MTB to Askole, probably starting in 10 days, and from there we'll the trek on the Baltoro glacier. "K2 base camp is very remote, we need at least 1 week to reach it from Askole. Afterward acclimatization period will start, and the actual K2-climbing is possible in a short window end of July/beginning of August." The Austrian athlete covered 2,324 km on her bike, the total altitude she gained was 118,386 meters, and spent 111.45 hours on the road, according to the statistics shared by the Pakistan Judo Federation secretary Masood Ahmed. Sabrina has taken up this journey on her own resources, however, the PJF is helping with logistics wherever they can. Sabrina began her journey when she arrived in Karachi on May 21. She immediately took to her engagement with the media and the Sindh Olympic Association, went to the mausoleum of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and cycled her way from the Seaview. She then went on to complete the first leg upwards from Karachi to Hyderabad and then Sukkur in sweltering temperatures of 48 to 52 degrees Celsius. From there onwards she reached Rahim Yar Khan to Lahore and then the nation's capital in Islamabad. Later the International Judo Federation Athletes' Commission chairperson went ahead to Gilgit-Baltistan. Break for the International Judo Fed meeting Sabrina will resume her ambitious project of climbing K2 after a week's break. She returned to Islamabad after spending a few days in Skardu and will be leaving for Budapest on June 7 due to her commitment to the IFJ. "I just arrived in Islamabad and will leave for an important commitment as the chair of the IJF athletes commission to the Judo world championships in Budapest," Sabrina updated this correspondent. "I will be back in Islamabad on 14.6. next day to Skardu from where I further continue my way to K2." After attending the IJF meeting on 11 June 2025, the two-time World Judo Championship bronze-medallist will resume her mission from Skardu to the K2 base camp and then the K2 summit attempt upon her return. She is expected to return to Islamabad again around August 2025, after the conclusion of the second phase of her mission, according to the PJF press update. Key stats from Sabrina's Garmin Edge device: Total distance: 2,324 km Total altitude gained: 118,386 meters Time on road: 111.45 hours.
Express Tribune
10-05-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
35th National Games rescheduled for December
Global warming and climate change is forcing Pakistani sports calendars to change exceedingly. On Friday, the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) announced that the 35th National Games will be held from December 6-12 instead in May 2025 after they had a detailed meeting with meeting with Chief Minister Sindh on May 7 in Karachi. The Games were postponed on the advice of the Sindh Government in an announcement last month, which stated that the severe heat wave is making it difficult for the athletes to continue training and eventually competing at the Games that are taking place in Karachi after 2007. Karachi has been experiencing high temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius since April. "We had originally chalked the National Games to take place in May because in previous editions that were held in Karachi, in 1997 and 2007, they took place in May-June," The POA Secretary Khalid Mahmood told this correspondent. According to the press release, the high-level meeting in Karachi with the Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah was attended by a delegation of the POA led by its President Arif Saeed, with Senior Vice President Fatima Lakhani, Secretary General Muhammad Khalid Mahmood, and Ahmed Ali Rajput, Secretary General of the Sindh Olympic Association. "The heatwave was there, and the temperatures began to rise, so we decided that nothing is more important than the well-being of the athletes. That is paramount. The Sindh Government advised us, and we have to trust them because they are the best judge on this matter. The Chief Minister of Sindh has taken complete ownership of the Games," explained. Mahmood also highlighted the need to reschedule the sports calendars, keeping two things in mind. "The two important thigs are to schedule training sessions in a way that athletes do not bear the brunt of the heatwaves and so keeping the training for the evnets and the scheduling of the events have to be such that we are not harful for the athletes and the weather is good so they can train and play, and yes, the climate change and this global warming is affecting our calneders and athletes in a big way." To tackle the challenges, he added that the POA has notified its Environment Commission to supervise the situation for the next four years. Meanwhile, he added that CM Sindh Shah has given a complete assurance of help with further assistance in budgeting for the 35th National Games, too: "He has assured that if we need more, he will sanction the amount we need." He said the National Games used to cost between Rs 20 to 25 crores. However, the cost is now almost Rs 50 crore with 7000 athletes competing in the Games due to rising costs of transport and other amenities for all the participants, including the officials. The venue for the Games will remain the same, KMC Sports Complex, but the Sindh Government has promised upgrades to the facilities. "The Chief Minister emphasized his commitment to sports and athlete development, and assured that comprehensive arrangements will be made for the safety, comfort, and high-performance environment of all participants. He instructed the concerned departments to provide top-tier accommodation, medical services, transportation, and to ensure compliance with international standards for all competition infrastructure and equipment, for which Secretary of the Sports & Youth Affairs Department Abdul Aleem Lashari will be the focal person. Among key announcements, the Chief Minister declared the construction of a new, state-of-the-art swimming pool and the procurement of advanced electronic timing and scoring systems,' read the press release.
Express Tribune
19-04-2025
- Climate
- Express Tribune
National Games in Karachi postponed again
Most of the grounds and facilities at sports complexes in Karachi are far from ready to host 35th National Games. PHOTO: APP The National Games, scheduled to begin on May 1 in Karachi, have been postponed once again. The reasons cited for the delay include extreme heat and the ongoing intermediate examinations. The Sindh Olympic Association issued an official notification today to all relevant departments, informing them that the National Games have been postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. The Games were set to begin in just 13 days, and this was Sindh's first opportunity in 18 years to host the prestigious event. Sardar Muhammad Bux Khan Mahar, chairman of the organising committee, emphasised the necessity of the decision, though specifics remain undisclosed. Authorities assured updates would follow, with the National Game Secretariat in Karachi coordinating future plans. The postponement affects thousands of athletes and officials nationwide, prompting calls for patience as logistical adjustments unfold. Sources revealed that the decision was influenced by the anticipated heatwave and the timing of the exams. However, concerns have been raised over the fact that both the hot weather in May and the exam schedule were already known months in advance. Insiders also disclosed that the event preparations were far from complete. Most of the grounds and facilities at the sports complexes had not undergone the necessary upgrades. Additionally, the official logo for the National Games had not been finalized, nor had the traditional torch relay been initiated. The Games were initially planned for February but were postponed to May despite the expected extreme weather conditions. With the latest postponement, a new date for the National Games is yet to be announced. Earlier last month, it was announced that the Sindh government has finalised all arrangements to host the 35th National Games, a nine-day sporting spectacle which was set to take place here from May 1 to 9. The SOA had confirmed that President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have been invited to attend the opening and closing ceremonies of the event while the Games' torch relay will be inaugurated by Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. The Games' swimming competitions was to be held at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) swimming pool and it was said that the plans were underway to construct a new state-of-the-art facility in the province to bolster aquatic sports. Key measures include enhanced security protocols, dedicated paramedical teams and ambulances on standby at all venues. However, all these plans and announcements have now become redundant due to the postponements of the Games.
