Saadi Abbas, a former Asian champion, has taken on the role of head coach for Pakistan's karate team as they prepare for the 14th South Asian Games, scheduled to take place in Pakistan from April 3-11, 2024. With approximately seven months to prepare, Saadi is determined to revamp the national team's training regimen to enhance their performance at the biennial event.
Based in Canada, Saadi's immediate focus is to familiarize himself with the current training programs utilized by karate fighters across various departments. He aims to implement a cohesive strategy that aligns the training efforts of all athletes involved. In an interview with The Express Tribune, Saadi expressed his commitment to organizing the team’s preparation effectively, stating, "It’s a privilege for the people but for me it’s work of more responsibility."
Currently, Pakistan's karate athletes are training with their respective departments in anticipation of a national event set for October. Saadi plans to engage with departmental coaches to evaluate existing training protocols and pinpoint any challenges the athletes may be facing. He remarked, "First of all I will hold a meeting with coaches of the departments and will discuss with them the onward strategy," emphasizing the importance of understanding the current landscape of training.
In October, Saadi intends to return to Pakistan to oversee the selection process for the national team. He has also expressed interest in bringing a foreign physical coach, with whom he has previously collaborated in Dubai and Canada, to assist with the fighters' conditioning. He envisions a 20-day physical conditioning camp designed to enhance the athletes' fitness levels before they transition into more specialized training.
Looking ahead, Saadi plans to organize an additional two-week training camp in the Gulf region in November. He is already in talks with neighboring countries about hosting Pakistani fighters for this camp, which will be crucial for their preparation. The training program will also include opportunities for international competition, with Saadi targeting the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Riyadh from December 13-21 as a key event for assessing the team's readiness.
While Saadi does not anticipate that Pakistan will be a top contender for medals at the upcoming games, he believes that participation will provide valuable insights into the athletes' capabilities. He stated, "Although medal chances are not that big but I will check how our team picks the things." Despite dealing with his own arm injury, Saadi has not ruled out the possibility of competing in the South Asian Games, depending on his fitness closer to the event.
Saadi's vision for the team extends to international exposure, as he hopes to take the Pakistani contingent to Georgia in January for the World Karate Series and arrange joint training camps with overseas fighters in February. He believes that these additional competitions will be instrumental in preparing the team for peak performance at the South Asian Games. "If we get another tournament then it will take us to the peak point for the South Asian Games," he noted.
In conclusion, Saadi Abbas is optimistic about the future of Pakistan's karate team, provided they receive the necessary support from the state and the Pakistan Olympic Association. He remarked, "I hope state should back us because in individual sports disciplines, Pakistan is touching lowest ebb." With a structured approach and adequate resources, Saadi is confident that the team can achieve a new standard in karate.
Leave a Comment