Pakistan relying on hockey, tennis for CWG glory

Having no representation in track and field events following doping bans on its nine athletes last month, Pakistan has pinned all its hopes on field hockey, tennis and weightlifting for bringing medals to the country in the upcoming Commonwealth Games (CWG) in India.

"We have a fair chance to win medals in tennis, weightlifting and hockey and I count Qureshi as a medal prospect," The News quoted Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Arif Hasan, as saying.

Qureshi became an instant star in Pakistan following his entry to both the men's and mixed doubles at the US Open earlier this month.

While Pakistan is set to compete in seven disciplines in the CWG- boxing, hockey, shooting, squash, tennis, weightlifting and wrestling, Hasan has admitted that medal chances are slim, as the country has seen a serious slump in performances from its athletes.

The Pakistan hockey squad, runners-up at the last Games in Melbourne in 2006, has plummeted to its worst-ever 12th place finish in the World Cup earlier this year, at the same venue in Delhi where they will be competing for the Commonwealth title.

"Our first target will be to reach the semis, and if we are able to do that I am sure we can upset the best of teams in the race for the title," said Captain Zeeshan Ashraf, who had to come out of retirement after the World Cup failure.

Meanwhile, Malik Shujauddin, who won a gold medal in weightlifting at the last Games, is finding himself short on international exposure.

"The competition is getting tougher and tougher and we don't get much international exposure, but I am still confident that I will repeat my golden performance," he said, adding, "Competing in India and doing well there is itself a big motivation."