The Pakistan Olympic Association has finalized a 62-member contingent for the 2014 Commonwealth Games that begin next week in Glasgow, Scotland. That cuts down from an 83-member roster submitted to the Ministry of Intern-provincial Coordination earlier this year.
Among the 8 disciplines in which the Pakistanis will participate is in swimming, which is to include 9 athletes:
- Bisma Khan
- Israr Hussain
- Kiran Khan
- Nisar Ahmed
- Sikandar Khan
- Anum Bandey
- Haris Bandey
- Lianna Catherine
- Areeba Shaikh
- coach Veena Salman
- coach Mohammad Asif
Pakistan has never won a swimming medal at the Commonwealth Games, though they have been quite successful in other disciplines like wrestling, weightlifting, and athletics. In 2010, in fact, they didn’t send a single swimmer – though historically they’ve sent a large contingent like this year’s.
Pakistan’s brightest young swimming star is 18-year old Anum Bandey, who trains in the UK. She swam at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games as well as at the 2011 and 2013 FINA World Aquatics Championships. She placed as high as 36th in the 200 breaststroke with a 2:55.