Pathetic performance of Punjab athletes in 19th Asian Games

Expressing his displeasure over the poor performance of Punjab athletes in the recently-concluded 19th Asian Games at Hangzhou, China, Director General Sports Punjab Dr Asif Tufail has summoned an important meeting of 20 sports associations including Punjab Olympic Association on October 25 at the National Hockey Stadium.
Director General Sports Punjab Dr Asif Tufail, in a statement on Friday said that winning a mere three medals including one silver and two bronze medals in 24 sports in the Asian Games despite sending a huge contingent of 189 athletes including 136 male and 53 female players is quite alarming. “This disappointing result is not less than a wake-up call for all provincial stakeholders who are making efforts for the promotion of sports across the province,” he added.
Director General Sports Punjab Dr Asif Tufail further said that it is the right time for all the stakeholders of Punjab to sit together and find reasons for this massive failure. “We have several talented athletes who have great medal-winning credentials in different games. Besides this, Sports Board Punjab has constructed international standard sports infrastructure across the province. There are 538 sports facilities including top class grounds and stadiums”.
Director General Sports Punjab Dr Asif Tufail said that all the stakeholders of the province will have to make collaborative efforts and carve out concrete planning to achieve encouraging results in future international sports competitions. “During the upcoming meeting, the factors behind pathetic performance in Asian Games will be identified. The selection of sports disciplines for Asian Games, number of athletes and their ranking will be discussed at length during the interactive session”.
The presidents and secretaries of 20 sports associations including Punjab Olympic Association, Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Golf, Kabaddi, Karate, Rowing, Shooting, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Volleyball, Tennis, Weightlifting, Wrestling and Wushu associations have been invited to attend the key meeting