December 20, 2001	Thursday	Shawwal 4, 1422

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LAHORE, Dec 19: A Pakistan Cycling Camp is expected to be held for some weeks at Tashkent in April and May next year.

Ten to fifteen top cyclists of Pakistan were invited to make a trip to Uzbekistan, where boarding, lodging, and training facilities will be provided by the host country. The capital of Uzbekistan has got one of the finest velodromes and cycling facilities in the world. Uzbekistan has cyclists of very high standard and the Pakistani cyclists may also be taking part in some of the international competitions being regularly organised in Tashkent.

In his short speech at the prize-distribution ceremony of the 15-kilometre road cycle race, the PCF president Muhammad Saleem Butt expressed happiness over growing popularity and standard of the game in this country. He recounted the days when national champions like Masood Sadiq and Nazakat Ali, who used the outmoded machines during their initial competitions of their careers, were “discovered” by chance.

In his welcome address, the organiser of the cycle race Shahzada Butt said  that winning of  medals  in  SAARC  cycling championship by the Pakistani cyclists was a happy omen and God willing, they would show better results in future competitions.

Elected:The Pakistan Cycling Federation (PCF) president Muhammad Saleem Butt, who is serving as the head of a national bank in Tashkent has been elected senior vice president of the Uzbekistan Cycling Federation.

Ashraf wins: Muhammad Ashraf (Wapda), grabbing 23 points, won the 15-km road cycle race held around the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Shakeel Qasim, took second position, gaining 13 points while Ashraf (Punjab) got four points to take third spot.