Tehran, In a groundbreaking development for Pakistan’s athletics, Mr. Talha Iftikhar became the country’s first technical official to represent at the 11th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships held in Tehran, Iran, from February 17 to 19, 2024. This achievement is not only a personal milestone for Iftikhar but also a significant moment in the history of Pakistani athletics, underscoring the nation’s growing influence in the international sports arena.
According to Athletics Federation of Pakistan, Mr. Iftikhar’s participation in the championships as a World Athletics Silver Level Referee was a direct result of the visionary leadership of the Chairman of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP). The Chairman’s strategy focuses on enhancing Pakistan’s representation in the global sports community, not only through the presence of athletes but also by securing key positions for Pakistanis as office bearers, coaches, and technical officials at the world and Asian levels.
The selection of Mr. Iftikhar for such a prestigious role at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships has been met with widespread acclaim from athletics enthusiasts across Pakistan. It represents a significant step forward in the country’s efforts to assert its presence on the global stage of athletics, highlighting the potential of Pakistani officials and athletes alike.
This milestone reflects the AFP’s commitment to broadening the scope of Pakistan’s involvement in international sports, beyond the participation of athletes, to include influential roles that contribute to the development and governance of athletics worldwide. Mr. Iftikhar’s achievement is seen as a source of national pride and an inspiration for future generations in Pakistan to aspire to such esteemed positions in the realm of international sports.