President Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) Col Junaid Alam elected as President South Asian Judo Federation during South Asian Zone Meeting conducted in Kuwait on Wednesday.
Masood Ahmed, Vice President PJF is also elected as Head of Education, Coaching & Kata Commission South Asian Judo Federation.
Former Secretary Army Sports Col Junaid besides his current appointment as President PJF was also holding the post of Vice President of SAJF (South Asian Judo Federation) from term 2019-2023.
Now he has been unanimously elected by South Asian Judo Federation for next term 2023-2027 during said elections participated by delegates of Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Elections were held at Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kuwait City.
The elections were supervised by Mr Mukesh Kumar, General Secretary Judo Union of Asia. Mr Dharma Kumar Sherestha from Nepal was elected as General Secretary.
His Excellency Mr Malik Muhammad Farooq, Ambassador of Pakistan to Kuwait congratulated Col Junaid in person with other business community members at election's venue. While presenting President PJF a flower bouquet, he urged him to focus on developing bilateral ties with Kuwait through this sport especially in this year in which Anniversary of 60 years of Diplomatic Relations with Kuwait is being celebrated. Judo Union of Asia is located in Kuwait with its President Mr Obaid Al Anzi - a resourceful person at international sports arenas.
Earlier in June 2021, Col Junaid was also appointed as Director International Judo Federation (IJF) Military & Police Commission till date.
IJF is placed as one of the top federations of Olympic Movement with the largest network of National Sports federations of 207 member countries round the globe.
While talking to the media, Junaid said that it is indeed another honour for me to be entrusted at this platform, which by virtue of the population is almost one-quarter of the world. He added that club leagues will be focused within the South Asian Region as it is not financially affordable for this regions' countries to give judokas international exposure involving huge travelling expenses to other continents.
He said: “I hope that with this position I would also be able to promote Judo and make a viable strategy to earn laurels for Pakistan in coordination with other concerned stakeholders.”
Mr Masood was also holding this appointment in last 2019-2023 and by virtue of his technical services rendered he was unanimously elected in this as well. Mr Masood has a vast experience in the field of Judo and had been the former Secretary General of Pakistan and South Asian Judo Federation.