POA honours CWG medallists with cash awards

LAHORE: The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) on Friday honoured medal winning athletes at the Gold Coast Commonwealth (CW) Games with cash awards. A total of Rs 900,000 were distributed among the players and officials at a reception organised by the POA at the Olympic House here. Pakistan won one gold medal and four bronze in the games. Pakistan wrestler Inam Butt, who won gold, was awarded Rs 300,000 while the bronze medal-winning players Mohammad Bilal, Tayyab Raza, Nooh Dastagar Butt and Talha Talib were given Rs 100,000 each. The two coaches of the disciplines that brought medals for the country were also given Rs 100,000 each. POA president Lt Gen (retd) Arif Hasan was the chief guest of the ceremony. POS Secretary Khalid Mahmood, Shaukat Javed, Ch Yaqoob, officials of various sports federations and associations were also present on the occasion. Arif appealed to the corporate sector and the government for financial support of the medal winning players. He also urged the government to develop international standard infrastructure at Gujranwala so that these players could train for international events. Gen Aif asked the government, Pakistan Sports Board and Wapda to arrange foreign coaches for their training. He also recommended the name of INam Butt for Pride of performance award.