Karachi: Pakistan’s Naseem Hameed became the first Pakistani women in the 26-year history of regional games when on Monday she clinched a gold medal in the 100-metre sprint in 11th South Asian Games being held in Dhaka, Bangladesh.The 22-year old athlete produced her career best feat at Bangabandhu National Stadium and led the eight runners.
She covered the distance in 11.81 seconds and helped her country finish with four
gold medals. She was 0.12 seconds ahead of Sri Lanka’s Pramila Priyadarshani, who bagged a silver medal.
Hailing from Rawalpindi, Naseem, who represents Pakistan Army at the domestic level is an emerging athlete and was also part of the Pakistan bronze medalist outfit in the 4X100m relay during the 10th South Asian Games which were staged in Colombo, in August 2006.
Everyone in the country is happy on her superb show and her triumph was being discussed with pride everywhere. “I am happy over my daughter’s accomplishment and thanked God for her achievement,” her father said.
Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Chief Lt.Gen (Rtd) Syed Arif Hasan congratulated Naseem for her historic performance and announced a ne-lakh-rupee (Rs.100,000) cash prize for her remarkable achievement.
Naseem has performed at a time when sport lovers in the country were looking desperate due to national cricket team’s shabby performance in all the three formats during their recently concluded tour to Down Under.
“It is a great moment for me to have brought glory to the country in my event after the poor showing by our national cricket team and especially since our athletics standards have been poor of late. I hope my performance will inspire young athletes to become professionals,” she said soon after winning the race.
Her achievement has also sent a message across the globe that Pakistan women are not behind men.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan women are also excelling in other games. Anmaar Habib was the country’s first women skier to represent Pakistan at an international level and she is now training for 2010 winter Olympics. The women hockey had also qualified to play for Doha Asian Games.
Similarly, Pakistan women cricket team was founded in 1997 and a number of activities are held every year at the domestic level. Naseem’s achievement will encourage country’s women in sports and it is hoped that like her they will also bring laurels for the country.
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