Army has 'always supported' sports, Gen Qamar tells Olympic athletes

COAS says representing Pakistan at the international level is an honour


Our Correspondent September 01, 2021
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. SCREENGRAB

RAWALPINDI:

National sportsmen, who represented Pakistan at the Tokyo Olympics, on Wednesday met Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to thank the army chief for “recognition of their efforts”.

Arshad Nadeem (javelin throw), Talha Talib (weightlifting), Havaldar Muhammad Khalil Akhtar (shooting), and sepoy Ghulam Joseph (shooting) called on Gen Bajwa, reported the Pakistan Army’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

During the meeting, the army chief appreciated the efforts of the Olympics athletes, saying their struggle inspired the entire nation, especially the youth. “Army has always supported sports in Pakistan,” Bajwa said as he assured them of support in future tournaments.

“Representing Pakistan at the international level is not only honour for you but it also brings pride to the nation,” Gen Bajwa told the athletes.

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It may be noted that earlier this month, a parliamentary committee had summoned the officials of the Pakistan Olympics Association (POA) over poor performance in the Tokyo games where the country was not able to grab a single medal with 10 Olympians competing in the event.

The Senate Committee on Inter-Provincial Coordination had also formed a committee comprising Mushtaq Ahmed, Sikandar Mandhro, and Rana Maqbool Ahmed, to look into the affairs of the federation and elections.

Apart from the POA, the committee had also summoned javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and weightlifter Talha Talib – both the Olympians who didn’t win any medal but won hearts because of their sheer persistence and effort despite “lack of resources”

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