KARACHI: Two Pakistani women taekwondo champions are appealing for sponsorship to enable them to compete in an upcoming international tournament in Thailand, saying financial constraints have become the biggest obstacle to representing the country once again on the global stage.
Gold medalists Tayyaba Ashraf and Sunbal Fatima are hoping to participate in the international taekwondo event scheduled to begin on July 31. The two athletes earned national recognition last year after winning gold medals at the same competition, bringing pride to Pakistan through their outstanding performances.
According to the athletes, they have trained extensively for this year’s event and are determined to once again represent Pakistan with distinction. However, the lack of financial support has left them searching for sponsors to cover travel, accommodation, registration, and other competition-related expenses.
Tayyaba Ashraf and Sunbal Fatima have together won five gold medals and one silver medal, making them the only Pakistani women athletes to secure medals at the previous edition of the tournament.
The athletes said they have worked tirelessly over the past several months in preparation for the competition and remain confident in their ability to perform at the highest level.
“We have trained very hard to make our country proud again,” they said, adding that inadequate funding has forced them to seek assistance through social media in the hope that individuals or organizations will come forward to support their participation.
The two taekwondo players, who train together regularly, recently shared an appeal on social media requesting sponsorship. Their posts highlight the financial challenges faced by many athletes in Pakistan despite achieving success in international competitions.
They explained that because of limited funds, they have only been able to register for fewer categories in the open championship than they had originally planned.
“In today’s circumstances, even borrowing money has become difficult,” they said, emphasizing that financial limitations should not prevent talented athletes from competing on the international stage.
Despite these challenges, both competitors expressed optimism about their preparations and said they remain committed to winning more medals for Pakistan if they are able to travel to Thailand.
The athletes noted that international tournaments provide valuable exposure and ranking opportunities, helping competitors gain experience against world-class opponents while improving their chances of qualifying for future championships.
Their appeal has drawn attention to the broader issue of funding for athletes in Pakistan, particularly in sports outside cricket. Many national competitors have previously spoken about the difficulties of securing sponsorship despite achieving success at international events.
Sports experts have often emphasized that sustained financial support is essential for athletes to maintain training standards, participate in overseas competitions, and continue developing their skills.
For many Pakistani athletes, sponsorships play a crucial role in covering expenses such as airfare, visas, tournament registration fees, coaching, sports equipment, accommodation, and nutrition.
The upcoming event in Thailand is expected to feature competitors from several countries, providing an important opportunity for Pakistani athletes to showcase their talent on the international stage.
Tayyaba Ashraf and Sunbal Fatima said their ultimate goal is to once again raise Pakistan’s flag through medal-winning performances. They expressed hope that sponsors or supporters would come forward in time to help them compete, allowing them to continue representing Pakistan with pride and adding to their growing list of international achievements.
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