The first part of the Indo-Pak wrestling tournament was held here in Gujranwala with great zeal Saturday where Pakistani wrestler Umer Pahalwan won the title gold.
Two matches were between Pakistan and India in which Umer Pahalwan “Rustum-e-Pakistan” defeated Rustum-e-Hind Jaghrobe Singh. In the other match between Rustum-e-Gujranwala Jani Pahalwan and Rustum-e-Punjab Satwinder Singh, the Indian wrestler won the match.
Earlier in first half, warm up matches were played among local wrestlers in which Muhammad Ali, Wahab Wajid Majhoo and Mustafa beat Shabeer, Umer, Billa Asad Pathan and Bila respectively. The match between Ati and Parvaiz was a draw.
In second half, the title matches took place. Umpires were Goga Pahalwan, Anwer Pahalwan and Hajinder Singh, coach of the Indian team. Jani Phalwan was defeated by Satwinder Singh while in the main category Umer Pahalwan defeated Jaghrob Singh as it turned out to be a disqualification as Jaghrob Singh got injured during the fight. Commissioner Gujranwala Saeed Wahla was the chief guest of the tournament while MNA Capt Safdar and former MNA Ghulam Dastagir Khan were present on the occasion and gave away the prize money of Rs 50,000 to the winners. While gold “Gurz” was given to the Umer Pahalwan from Gujranwala for winning the title match.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Satwinder Singh said that it was a great match and such tournaments should be held as this would help bring the two nations together.
Umer Pahalwan after winning the title gold thanked the Almighty. He said that Pakistan has talent and government supervision is necessary for the promotion of talent so that Pakistani wrestlers could earn good name for the country.
Chief coach of Pakistani team and General Secretary of Pakistan Wrestling Federation, under whose supervision Pakistan won gold in Commonwealth Games in 2010 said that Pakistanis remain one of the best wrestling nation of the world in their typical style and government should encourage the local wrestlers so that they could win gold.
Hajindre Singh said that such tournament will bring the two countries together. “We share a lot and wrestling tournaments could play a pivotal role in overcoming bitterness.”
