2nd National Paralympics Games
NWFP grabs overall trophy as Punjab sweeps more gold medals
Bureau Report

PESHAWAR—NWFP clinched overall trophy with 41 medals as Punjab swept away more gold while recording runners-up position in the 2nd National Paralympics Games that concluded in a colourful closing ceremony held here at Qayyum Sports Complex on Wednesday.
NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti was the chief guest on this occasion. NWFP Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah, President of National Paralympics Committee Pakistan Tariq Mustafa, Secretary NWFP Chapter Kifatullah, Secretary Sports NWFP, Director General NWFP Sports Board Maazullah Khan, Director Women Sports Directorate Rashida Ghaznavi and large number of special athletes, officials, school children of Faazia Inter-College, students of PAF Special Education School were also present.
NWFP took 12 gold medals, 14 silvers and 15 bronze medals by grabbing 41 overall medals to take first position, followed by Punjab with 40 medals, 19 gold medal, 14 silvers and 7 bronze medals, Federal Areas 25 medals, 6 golds, 8 silvers and 11 bronze and Sindh 12 medals, 2 golds, 5 silvers and 6 bronzes.
Asad Ullah Khan of NWFP was declared best athlete and Aysha Hamayun of NWFP, Rozina Bibi of Federal Areas, Mehnaz Aslam of Federal and Khatija of Punjab were jointly declared best female athletes.
In the Table Tennis (Standing), Rizwan of Punjab took the trophy by defeating Babar of Federal in the final while Ayaz Ahmed of NWFP got wheel chair trophy. Muhammad Rehan of Federal won badminton title while Ayaz Khan clinched the power-lifting title.
Speaking on this occasion, the NWFP Chief Minister Aamir Haider Khan Hoti said “You are more important for me and I solute you that you people are here among us from across the country,” he added. He promised more activities for the special children in the province.
The Chief Minister also announced that NWFP would host the Inter-Provincial Games in November this year and National Games in 2009 for which adequate measures would be taken to facilitate the players.
He directed the NWFP Sports Board to specify Hayatabad Sports Complex for female sports besides developing stadiums at Wazirbagh and Pawakai to make them playable. The NWFP government would give 200 kanals of land to Sports Board for the development of sports infrastructure in order to hold the games in befitting manners, the Chief Ministers said.
After his short speech the Chief Minister shook hands with the special athletes. He also announced Rs. 0.5 millions for the organizers.