By Tom Degun

Tariq_MustafaJanuary 14 - Tariq Mustafa (pictured), President of Pakistan's National Paralympics Committee (PNPC) has called on his country's Government and the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) to give more respect and recognition to the country's Paralympians following their performance at the recent Asian Para Games.


Pakistan finished 13th in the medal table after they claimed two golds, one silver and a bronze in Guangzhou in China last month.

Haider Ali, who has cerebral palsy, was the team's undoubted star as he claimed gold in the long jump - breaking the Asian record in the process with a leap of 6.43 metres - and also picked up a bronze in the 100 metres.

Ali's compatriot Mudassir Baig, another cerebral palsy athlete, also claimed gold with victory in the 400m, while Muhammad Awais landed a silver in the javelin.

But apart from a reception at the Islamabad Airport upon their return from China, the athletes have largely gone unnoticed and Mustafa, who also serves as vice-president of the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), said they deserve far greater reward for their feats.

"Neither the Pakistan PSB nor the Government has given any regard to this team," he said.

"We were expecting cash prizes from the PSB as well as the Government, just like all the other medallists from the 16th Asian Games received.

"However, while the able-bodied squash team, hockey players and others continue to be rewarded, we remain ignored."

Mustafa has requested that a plot of land should be allotted in Islamabad to construct a sports training centre dedicated to athletes with disability as soon as possible.

He also called for the establishment of an endowment fund amounting to Rs 200 million (£150,000/$238,000) in the Regular Income Scheme of National Savings Organisation of Government of Pakistan in the name of PNPC.

"We are on our own, doing everything for these athletes without any grant from the Government or the PSB," Mustafa claimed.

"The NPC could use any monthly profit for development of the Paralympic Movement in Pakistan, hosting national games, sports championships, and training of athletes with disability and their participation in regional and international sports events and to conduct all other relevant activities regularly.

"This has become essential now since we have to aim for Pakistan's success at the 2012 London Paralympic Games."

The President of the PNPC also appealed to the Prime Minister to give special care to the medal winners of Asian Para Games as had been done in the case of medal winners at the 2010 Asian Games.

"The amount of cash awards may be equal to the prize amount already conferred upon the gold, silver and bronze medal winners of the Asian Games 2010," he concluded.

Ali also expressed his disappointment at the lack of recognition and reward but claimed that representing Pakistan remained the biggest honour for him.

"Yes, we are disappointed that compared to our able compatriots at the Asian Games, we have been completely ignored by the prime minister and the sports ministry," he said.

"It hurts because we train as hard as anyone.

"But having said that, representing Pakistan is the biggest honour for me."

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