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July 20, 2012
Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has announced to sponsor athletes to represent
Pakistan at the London Paralympics Games, starting from August 29, 2012.
This announcement was made by CEO PPAF Qazi Azmat Isa at a simple but impressive
ceremony to mark the launch of official website (www.npcpakistan.org) of the National
Paralympics Committee of Pakistan (NPCP).
Two athletes namely Ali Haider, who suffers from cerebral palsy that affected his
right leg muscles and silver medalist at Beijing Paralympics Games, and Naeem Masiah
will represent Pakistan in the upcoming Paralympics Games under the aegis of NPCP
and financial support of PPAF. Ali Haider will contest for medal in long jump as
well as 100 meter and 200 meter race while Naeem Masiah will take part in 1500 meter
and 800 meter race.
The two athletes, along with their support staff, will depart for London on July
24, 2012 for the pre-games training camp arranged at the University of Bedfordshire-UK
to take part in the international event.
Held every four years following the Olympic Games and governed by International
Paralympic Committee (IPC), Paralympic Games are a multi-sport event for athletes
with physical, mental and sensorial disabilities including mobility disabilities,
amputees, visual disabilities and those with cerebral palsy.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Executive of Quest for Economic Development
– a UK-based charity – Ms. Adeeba Malik (M. B. E) said that the athletes are great
ambassadors of the country. She said that a reception would be hosted for the athletes
in the UK while they would also like to collaborate with PPAF in the accomplishment
of its vision of poverty alleviation.
The website has been launched to showcase more than a decade of endeavours of the
organization for the promotion of the Paralympic Movement in Pakistan and the achievements
of its people with disabilities who turned athlete as a result thereof.
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