10 April 2005	Sunday	30 Safar 1426

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JEDDAH, April 9: Pakistan had a bad day in the 1st Islamic Solidarity Games swimming events as out of four heats they qualified for the final in only 4x200 metres freestyle at King Abdul Aziz Sports City on Saturday.

The quartet of Mumtaz Ahmed, Mahboob Ali, Muhammad Amir and Adil Baig was at the seventh spot with an unimpressive timing of nine minutes 03.44 seconds to qualify for the final.

Algerian team of Mehdi Hamama, Badis Djendouci, Anis Smail and Mohammed Bendib came first with the timing of eight minutes 12.26 seconds, which is way behind from African record of seven minutes 36.95 seconds. The final will be held later in the evening on Saturday.

In 50 metres breaststroke, Abdul Aziz, an upcoming swimmer, clocked 33.47 seconds to finish sixth among eight contenders. But after second heat Aziz was pushed behind at the 18th spot. Ahmad Al-Kudmani of Saudi Arabia was first with a timing of 29.44 seconds.

Similarly, in 1500 metres Mumtaz, the most experience swimmer of Pakistan, finished second in the heat in 17 minutes 55.41 seconds. But the eight competitors of the second heat earned better timings which resulted in Mumtaz’s exit after finishing at 10th spot.

The 16-year-old Egyptian Mohammad Mukhtar claimed top position. He clocked 16 minutes 2.33 seconds.

In 50 metres butterfly, a 17-year-old Sikander Khan represented the country but only to finish the distance in 28.45 seconds and settle at 29th position. Rustam Khudiyev from Kazakhstan clocked 24.88 seconds and his fellow countryman Ildar Gabelmalikov finished with 25.66 seconds, claiming first and second spots.

Remaining competitions are scheduled to be held in the evening session.

Meanwhile, in karate, Pakistan also failed to get any medal in the individual kata. According to brief results received from Madina, Iranian Mohsin Ashrafi won the gold. Saudi Arabia and Egypt won the silver and bronze medals.