KARACHI, May 23: President General Pervez Musharraf Friday extolled youthful Meherullah and said he lifted the morale of the nation by winning a gold medal in last year’s XIV Asian Games in Busan (South Korea).

“He (Meher) brought laurels, glory and honour to the country when national anthem was played and Pakistan flag was hoisted in Korea” he said while speaking at a presentation of Rs 10 million cheque to Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Chief Prof. Anwar Chowdhry and Rs 4.5 million to Meherullah for his accomplishments in Busan.

He said keeping in view the talent in boxing, Pakistan can also produce boxers of the calibre of legendary Muhammad Ali.

Musharraf said to groom and nurture the talent of pugilists, boxing gymnasiums will also be installed in other major cities of the country.

He lauded the role of Lyari in producing good players in boxing, football, cycling and donkey cart races.

President reiterated that none of the sports associations or federations in the country will be given official grant if they failed to follow new sports policy of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).

He said they wanted to launch associations from tehsil and district level. President said through this policy, sports can be promoted from the grass root level.

He wished that all the national federations and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) should follow the new sports policy.

President stressed there was no shortage of money and no dearth of sporting talent and the government would spend money for the promotion of sports and welfare of sportsmen.

Musharraf said there was a lot of money in cricket and various grounds across the country are developed. Likewise, he said, a lot attention was being paid towards hockey and several astro turfs were being laid in various cities of Pakistan for which sufficient amount of money has already been released.

He said Pakistan must start its preparations for next year’s Athens Olympics and the government would provide all the support and assistance.

President called for private sector to come forward and play their role in uplift of sports, their sponsorship and provision of jobs and other incentives to boost sports in the country.—APP