Paralympics: Disappointment for Pakistan medal hope Ali
The 27-year-old from the "City of Wrestlers" in Gujranwala, north of Lahore, had three no-jumps in the F37/38 final at the Olympic Stadium, which eliminated him from the competition.
The gold was won by Gocha Khugaev with a jump of 6.31m. In combined class field events, distance is converted into points, leaving the Russian on a new world record of 1,028.
Ma Yuxi of China won silver, with Dyan Buis of South Africa in bronze.
Ali, who has cerebral palsy, won silver at the last Games in Beijing behind Mohamed Farhat Chida of Tunisia. Chida could only manage fourth this time round.
The Pakistani athlete is one of only two at the London Games and the country's only Paralympic medallist.
But Pakistan's National Paralympic Committee is hoping their participation will be a spur to greater funding and help change traditional attitudes towards disability in the conservative Muslim nation.
COMMENTS (6)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1732783403-0/BeFunk_§_]__-(66)1732783403-0.jpg "zimbabwe s sean williams penalised for breaching icc code of conduct")
Oh well!
Really disappointed that we came last in both the races! Ali Haider has so much potential and a great attitude. The Muslim countries were well represented in the races but sadly Pakistan failed not just our athlete. Hope this will lead to further funding and greater training for our amazing Paralympic talent. Better luck next time and we love you Ali Haider!
Maryam,
That's the ET way of writing: take inane digs at Pakistan/Muslims/Islam wherever you (think you) can!.
Also notice " ... the troubled South Asian nation’s ..." .
Only in ET/Dawn type minds could this sort of stuff fit into a sports piece.
I fail to see how the attitudes towards disability have anything to do with coming from a conservative muslim nation. Yes disability is an area that gets little attention, but that is due more to unawareness, lack of education and poor funding which is typical in many 3rd world countries not excluding Pakistan. More importantly, this is not a dissapointment for Pakistan- rather it is an honour for us to even be represented in the first place. Haider you are an inspiration and we are extremely proud!
good on him to participate! and good luck for the future!