Hockey skipper to lead Pakistani contingent at Asian Games’ ceremonies

Hockey captain Zeeshan Asharf will lead the Pakistani contingent at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 16th Asian Games in China, the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) announced on Wednesday morning.

Earlier POA nominated Commonwealth Games gold medallist wrestler Azhar Hussain for the honouring job but now had cancelled the decision announced before.

POA officials said that the new decision was taken after Hussain’s coach raised concerns over sending him one week before the wrestling event new amended starting schedule from Nov. 17.

The coach feels that Hussain would have to give up supervised training during the last week and may also put on weight thereby going into the next weight category.

“In view of the concerns of the coach and the Pakistan Wrestling Federation, his traveling schedule has been changed and he, therefore, would not be able to attend the opening ceremony,” said Muhammad Afzal, POA director general.

Afzal said Zeeshan had been given the honour of carrying the national flag during the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.

The Asiad are taking place from Nov. 12 to 27 in Guangzhou, China. Pakistan is participating in 17 sports with a contingent of 235 athletes and officials.