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Pakistan’s youngest taekwondo athlete has eyes on the Olympics

Pakistan’s youngest taekwondo athlete has eyes on the Olympics

8-year-old Ayesha Ayaz is from Swat and already in training for the Olympics under her father's supervision
10 Feb, 2019

Ayesha Ayaz, Pakistan’s youngest ever taekwondo athlete who won the bronze medal in the 27kg category during the 7th Fujairah Open International Taekwondo Championship in UAE, says she wants to take part in the Olympics to make her country proud.

She was talking at an event organised in her honour at Kanju after she returned home from UAE.

Aysha’s parents and relatives, elders, district sports officer, taekwondo players and civil society members participated in the event.

The eight-year-old Swat-based girl also cut a cake to celebrate her victory. She said she was excited and proud of her success and dedicated her medal to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“My next target is Olympic games for which I am working hard and practicing daily under my father’s supervision. I also expect the government will assist me in preparing for the mega event,” she said.

Ayaz Naik, Ayesha’s father, who also remained international taekwondo athlete and runs a training academy in Swat, said Ayesha had high talent for taekwondo and if the government helped him in grooming her talent he was confident she would be an international star in the game.

“Winning bronze in the G-1 is not an easy job and her victory means she got tremendous talent and if it is polished on professional lines she will, no doubt, emerge an international star for Pakistan,” he said, adding he was coaching her and other girls of the area to represent Pakistan at international level.

Mr Naik said G-1 event in taekwondo was equal to the world cup of cricket and football.

However, until now no elected representative visited her to encourage or appreciate her, he lamented.

Elders congratulated the youngest Pakistani athlete and said they expected of the government to honour her for her tremendous performances.


Originally published in Dawn, February 10th, 2019

Comments

Faisal Khorasani Feb 10, 2019 11:23am
Martial arts training is good for any child.
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Ranajyoti Feb 10, 2019 12:37pm
Oh! dear, good luck from India.
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Salam Feb 10, 2019 01:00pm
Well done, keep it up.
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Vikas Feb 10, 2019 01:05pm
Well done! She should set her sight on winning a medal in the Olympics. Not just participation and spirit etc. that Micky Arthur keeps talking about. Winning is the purpose and to win one should aim. Simple, that is what is rewarded.
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Young afridi Feb 10, 2019 01:06pm
Best of luck for your future. Keep going.
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Vikram Feb 10, 2019 01:43pm
Wow.....at 8 I didn't even know how to spell Olympics. You have just earned a fan in me. Way to go little one......be an inspiration to others....make your nation proud.......may all your dreams come true! A fan from India
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Hamed Quraishi Feb 10, 2019 01:44pm
Parents have done good job!
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RRS Feb 10, 2019 02:38pm
Bravo! Keep it up. You will done wonders one day.
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khan Feb 10, 2019 03:32pm
well done cutey keep it up PM should help her financially
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Feb 10, 2019 04:11pm
Great, wonderful, inspiring and exciting news. Well done and keep it up.
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A Feb 10, 2019 04:23pm
Congratulations! Go for it.
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RAja Raman Feb 10, 2019 04:37pm
Best wishes from India... Keep rocking.. Kid.
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Zora Feb 10, 2019 06:34pm
Fabulous! You go girl and make Pakistan proud!
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Sabir Pakistani Feb 10, 2019 08:28pm
Encourage more girls to participate in Olympics.
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comment Feb 10, 2019 09:59pm
You go, girl!!
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Raj Feb 10, 2019 10:30pm
Best of luck cutie.. You are an inspiration.. Love from India.
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Gordon D. Walker Feb 10, 2019 11:37pm
We all love this little champion... Go girl, go! Gordon D. Walker Canada
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RationalBabu Feb 11, 2019 02:42am
@Zora, hope all Pakistanis support her including the Mullahs without passing judgments about what she has to wear!
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Khalid iqbal Feb 11, 2019 04:04am
Very good achievement , martial arts should become a routine part of school curriculum in Pakistan , it should replace PT , it’s an exercise as well as a sport , requires very little space and can be affordable to all .
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Faisal Feb 11, 2019 08:19am
Lets go Aisha!
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AZAM AKBAR Feb 12, 2019 07:13pm
Congratulations to you Ayesha - a very very young sportgirl of Pakistan. Pakistanis are proud of you.
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