Pakistani Omer axed from SA Games badminton team

Lahore, Pakistan, January 22 - Pakistan's chances of putting on any good show in the forthcoming 11th South Asian Games badminton event were effected to some extent on Thursday when one of its key players Omer Zeeshan was dropped from the national team.

Confirming the reports about Omer's ouster, team Manager Col Amanat told Dawn from Islamabad: "Omer has been replaced by Shabbar Hussain."

Being a close rival of national champion Wajid Ali, Omer has remained at No.1 or 2 in national rankings for the last decade.

The manager also informed that Omer had left the training camp in Islamabad some eight days ago due to his uncle's ill health. But not being able to return on Monday, too, he sent in his medical certificate instead, saying that he was not fit for the game.

The team leaves for Bangladesh on January 25 to take part in the regional games, scheduled to be held from January 29 to February 7.

Despite tough competitions from India and Sri Lanka, Omer could have helped Pakistan bag a medal in the games.

The national squad comprises Ahsan Qamar, Rizwan Aslam, Imran Mohib, besides Wajid and Shabbar Kashif.