Latest news with #MoazzamIqbal
Express Tribune
17-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak Special Olympics squad returns after impressive show
The enthusiasm and determination of Pak athletes in Special Olympics in Turin fetched them as many as 11 medals. PHOTO: SOP Pakistan's squad, which won 11 medals at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy, returned home on Monday to a warm welcome at the Karachi Airport. Associate Secretary General of Pakistan Olympic Association Tehmina Asif, along with officials from Special Olympics Pakistan (SOP) and the family of the athletes besides several fans received the squad. They were greeted with flower garlands in celebration of their remarkable achievement in the Special Olympics. Gold medalists Moazzam Iqbal, Afaq Khan, Abdul Saboor, and Minahil Asim expressed their pride in representing Pakistan, stating that they participated in the games with the sole aim of winning for their country. They credited their success to their hard work, the guidance of their coaches, SOP's support, and the prayers of the entire nation. Chairperson of Special Olympics Pakistan, Ronak Lakhani, emphasized that winning medals in such a mega event is a significant honor for Pakistan. She highlighted that the team had been preparing for the Winter Games for the past five years, and the athletes reached the victory stand by delivering their best performances. She also acknowledged the crucial role of the coaches, whose dedication and excellent training helped the athletes achieve this milestone. Tehmina Asif, Associate Secretary General of POA, noted that the World Winter Games featured some of the best teams from around the world, yet the enthusiasm and determination of Pakistani athletes were extraordinary. She added that in Turin, the athletes not only showcased their sporting skills but also served as ambassadors of Pakistan, spreading messages of love and peace, leaving a lasting impression on players from other countries. Tehmina also congratulated the athletes' parents for their unwavering support in encouraging their children to pursue sports.
Express Tribune
15-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Afaq grabs gold for Pakistan in Turin
Special Olympics Pakistan athlete poses at the podium with others at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin with his gold medal. PHOTO COURTESY: SOP Afaq Khan won Gold for Pakistan in 100m snowshoeing race at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin on Friday. The Special Olympics Pakistan athletes have won three gold medals so far in cross-country skiing and snowshoeing events. Pakistani athletes have also added one silver and two bronze medals, making a total of six medals on the tally. Meanwhile, Ahmed Al Jailani Ahmed from UAE got silver and Amarbold Munkhdul of Mongolia finished with a bronze medal in 100m snowshoeing race behind Afaq. The SOP are fielding 10 athletes in Turin. This is the first time after 2017 that the World Winter Games are taking place. Pak athletes continue their successful run In the men's 4x100-meter snowshoeing relay race, Canada's team won the gold medal, while Pakistan's Moazzam Iqbal, Abdul Saboor, Muhammad Afaq, and Ali Raza secured silver. China's athletes finished in third place. In the women's 4x100-meter snowshoeing relay, Canada took first place, while Pakistan's Iqra Akram, Tabassum Nasir, Shah Guloon, and Manahil finished second, winning the silver medal. Chinese Taipei secured the bronze. On the final day of the event, the 400-meter race will take place, featuring Pakistan's Moazzam Iqbal, Saboor Ahmed, and Ali Raza in the men's category, while Iqra Akram and Manahil will compete in the women's race. Governor of Sindh pay tribute to Special Olympics Pakistan Governor of Sindh, Kamran Khan Tessori, has praised Pakistani special athletes Moazzam Iqbal and Muneeb ur Rehman for winning gold medals at the ongoing Special Olympics World Winter Games in Italy. He stated that these athletes, with their determination as strong as mountains, have made the entire nation proud by raising the Pakistani flag high in the world of sports. Their achievement proves that with continuous hard work and a passion for winning for the country, success can be achieved. Governor Tessori also paid tribute to Special Olympics Pakistan Chairperson Ronak Lakhani for her efforts in supporting athletes with intellectual and physical disabilities. He appreciated her humanitarian services for the special athletes. Squash legend Jahangir Khan congratulates Special Olympians Squash legend Jahangir Khan congratulated the athletes on their medal victories, calling them role models for the entire nation. He emphasized that the Special Olympics Pakistan team, especially the coaches, have been preparing the athletes with great national spirit for the past five years, and today their hard work has been rewarded with gold medals. He also praised Ronak Lakhani's contributions, calling them exemplary at the national level. The coaches of gold medalist Muneeb ur Rehman in cross-country skiing, Shumaila Aram and Muhammad Saleem, and the coaches of Moazzam Iqbal, the snowshoeing gold medalist, Irfan Anwar and Aram Abdul Majeed, expressed their happiness over the athletes' outstanding performances.
Express Tribune
14-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak's Muneeb, Moazzam clinch gold medals in Turin
Pakistan's Muneeb-ur-Rehman and Rovina Qurban pose for the camera with their gold and silver medals at the 12th Special Olympic World Winter Games (right) Moazzam Iqbal shows off his gold. PHOTOS: SOP On an absolutely thrilling day for Pakistani athletes at the 12th Special Olympic World Winter Games' at Turin, Italy on Thursday, Muneeb Ur Rehman and Moazzam Iqbal showcased outstanding performances by clinching gold medals in the cross-country 50 meters skiing and 800m Snowshoeing race respectively. And if that was not enough, Pakistan's Rovina Qurban claimed the silver medal in the women's 50-meter race while Manahil finished fourth, Tabsum Nasir and Shah Galoon secured fifth place, Afaq Khan came in sixth, and Iqra Akram finished in seventh place. Gold medalist Muneeb Ur Rehman, who hails from Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, expressed his joy, stating that this was his first time participating in the World Winter Games. He had been preparing for this event for the past seven years, with dedicated training from his coaches, Shumaila Iram and Muhammad Saleem. Muneeb shared his ambition to win more medals for Pakistan in upcoming international events. In the snowshoeing 200-meter race, Pakistan's Saboor Ahmed and Ali Raza won bronze medals. The Pakistani athletes like others went through the rounds of divisioning. Divisioning, according to the Special Olympics website, is essential. It is the fundamental difference between Special Olympics competitions and those of other sports organizations is that athletes of all ability levels are encouraged to participate, and every athlete is recognized for his/her performance. Competitions are structured so that athletes compete with other athletes of similar ability in equitable divisions, the website explains. The athletes have also been training in Turin. The Special Olympics Pakistan (SOP) social media pages have been uploading videos of the athletes partaking in training sessions. Their dedication to their discipline and sport is heartwarming as the SOP coaches guide them on the slopes of Turin. Meanwhile, it was a day of raw emotion, pride, and unforgettable achievement for Team Ireland at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin. With families watching on in tears of joy, Ireland's athletes produced breathtaking performances, bringing home five medals in Alpine Skiing and celebrating a hard-fought victory in Floorball.
