Tanveer Leaves For Czech Republic On Monday To Compete At World Archery Para C'ships

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Jul, 2023 ) :Pakistan's visually impaired archer Tanveer Ahmed will fly to Czech Republic on Monday to participate in the World Archery Para Championships 2023. The week-long Championships are taking place in Pilsen from July 17 to 23.

Talking to APP on Sunday,Tanveer said, "I will be flying to Pilsen on early Monday for the event". He said that that was his first appearance in the event and he will return home with a silver medal. Now I'm targeting another medal; hopefully gold this time," added Tanveer, who has low vision and shoots blind folded.

The 39-year-old Tanveer claimed the first ever silver medal for the country in the last edition of the Championships that was held in Dubai, last year. Tanveer has won several medals in national and international competitions since taking on archery in 2017. Prior to that he was a blind cricketer where he showcased his talent for 16 years. "I've been a cricketer. But it is archery that gave me real recognition." The 2022 has been a year of success for him as he earned five international medals in it, including the first ever mix team gold medal in Andorra International Open for VI Archery, silver medal in 30 metre individual event of VI Archery and bronze medal in 18 metre individual event of VI Archery in Andorra International Open for VI Archery, bronze medal in World Ranking Event and European Cup and silver medal in World Archery Para Championships.

"I'm the only archer from Pakistan, who has won five medals in a Calendar year," he added. He said he had been training hard for the World Archery Para Championships and believed he was fully fit to take on the challenge and emerge victorious. "My coach Muhammad Ijaz is a seasoned trainer. I wanted him to accompany but due to visa issue, he is not departing. I will be competing in the event without my coach," said Tanveer, who is being sponsored by the BARD Foundation for the event. "The BARD Foundation is also sponsoring me for World Blind Games where I will be again the only archer to represent my country." The 2023 World Games is the largest high-level international event for athletes with visual impairment, with more than 1250 competitors from 70 nations. The games, staged every four years are the pinnacle of the international sporting calendar outside the Paralympic Games. The sports taking place during the 2023 World Games include archery, chess, cricket, blind football, partially sighted football, women's football, goalball, judo, powerlifting, showdown, tenpin bowling and tennis. Pakistan's men blind cricket team is also scheduled to feature in the Games.