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By Sportswriter Zhang Rongfeng ISLAMABAD, April 16 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic flame witnessed its tenth-stop relay in Sports Complex of Islamabad on Wednesday with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousaf RazaGillani attending the opening and celebration ceremonies. "I welcome the Beijing 2008 Olympic torch relay on its 'Journey of Harmony'. Let me convey my strong sentiments to Beijing and wish them the best of luck at the Beijing Olympic Games," said Pervez Musharraf in the opening ceremony. "We in Islamabad, share the Beijing's enormous pride as the host of the Olympic Games. I hope the world will witness determination, passion and strength, which are the hallmark of the Chinese nation. I wish them all the best and hope that they will always cherish the memories of their short stay in Pakistan." Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani also delivered speech in the opening-up. "The journey of the Olympic torch carrying the message of harmony symbolizes the Olympic ideals of peace, friendship and international understanding. Here today we the people of Pakistan confirm our commitment to lighting the passion and sharing the dream of global harmony," said Yousaf RazaGillani." The Olympic torch today places upon us as citizens of a growing yet shrinking world a great responsibility, a responsibility we must stand up and accept, a responsibility to share a universal vision of harmony, a responsibility to make the world a peaceful and passionate home for our future generations and to whom history will make us answerable." The first torchbearer was Samiullah Khan, a former field hockey player from Pakistan, who was nicknamed "The Flying Horse" because of his great speed. He played as a left winger for Pakistan in 1970s and 1980s.
"I personally represents Pakistan wishing China good luck and host a great Olympic Games," said Samiullah Khan. "It's pitiful for the torch relay going on in the closed stadium, but the security is the first thing to consider for everyone. Millions of people can see the relay through TV. In 2001, I went to China during the ninth Chinese National Games in Guangzhou and I hope tofind another opportunity to visit China next." Khan was instrumental in Pakistan's bronze medal in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Mentreal, and won gold in Asian Games in Bangkok in 1978. Khan retired from international hockey in 1982 while he was a captain of Pakistan. Khan's brother Kaleemullah Khan also played for the national field hockey team of Pakistan. He later managed the Pakistan team, quitting in 2005. Jahangir Khan, the last torchbearer in Islamabad relay, is a former world No. 1 professional squash player, who is considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the game. "You know the squash is not a sport of Olympics, so it has always been a dream for me to be an Olympian. It's a special way for me to be in Olympic Games. It seems you passed the final line and got a No. 1 and won a gold medal in the Olympics. Something what I am doing today is accomplishing something like that," said Jahangir Khan. During Jahangir Khan's career, he won the World Open six times and the British Open a record ten times. Between 1981 and 1986, he was unbeaten in competitive play for five years. During that time he won 555 matches consecutively. This was not only the longest winning streak in squash history, but also one of the longest unbeaten runs by any athlete in top-level professional sport. "Squash has been played all over the world. You can find a lot of people are playing it all over the world and China is coming along. We have seen a lot of fans from Hong Kong. I think this year will have a lot of Opens, and we have got the Beijing Open inChina," said Jahangir. "Next year, it will be decided whether the sport will be included in 2016 Olympic Games. I am optimistic for the future prospect of squash." "I am the first male squash torchbearer to carry the Olympic torch. It's a big honor for me to be the last bearer and ended the relay here," he added. Jahangir Khan retired at the age of 29 and has been serving as the president of Squash Confederation for years. A bulk of top Pakistani athletes were selected to carry the torch including Malike Muhammad Younus, Ghulam Abbas and Farjad Saif. Malik Muhammad Younus, honorary captain, is a very prominent athlete in Pakistan's history. He is the national champion for consecutive 11 years in running. Younus had been representing Pakistan in 1972, 1976 Olympics and 1970, 1974 and 1978 Asian Games. He won gold medal in 1974 Asian Games, and collected silvers in the other two Asian Games. He is a national record holder of 1,500 meters and 5,000 meters for over 30 years. Younus was awarded Pride of Performance in 1990.
Ghulam Abbas won gold medal in 400 meters hurdles in Beijing Asian Games 1990. He also won two gold medals in 110 meters hurdles and 400 meters hurdles in the fourth South Asian Games in Islamabad. Farjad Saif, a table tennis player and 13 times of national champion, was qualified for Seoul Olympics in 1988. He represented Pakistan for more than 70 times abroad. Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, was completed on 26 October 1966. It is a modern and carefully planned city with wide tree-lined streets, elegant public buildings and well organized bazaars. The walk ways are shaded by rows of flame trees, jacaranda and hibiscus. The residential areas are laid out as a series of self-contained townships, each of which have their own shopping, recreational and health facilities. The total area of Islamabad is906 square kilometers with a population of about 700, 000 and an elevation is 610 meters above sea-level. |
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