August 25, 2006	Friday	Rajab 29, 1427

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COLOMBO, Aug 24: Pakistan claimed one gold, one silver and two bronze medals in the athletics events of the 10th South Asian Games at Sugathasada Stadium on Thursday.

Pakistanis excelled in the pole vault by securing the gold and silver. Mohammad Ayub surpassed previous South Asian record of 4.80 metre with a new 4.81-metre record while Mohammad Jaffar finished behind him with 4.70 metre and Indian Vadivellu got the bronze (4.50).

Mohammad Riaz gave Pakistan the bronze medal in the long jump event with 7.31 metre, while India's Wayne Pepin (7.73) won the gold and Sri Lankan Prasad Dharmaratne took the silver (7.46).

But it was Pakistan's female athlete Zeenat Parveen who gave the country first medal in athletics, securing a bronze in the shot put event.

Zeenat finish behind India's Saroj Sihag (14.96) who won the gold while M.N Muthunayaka (14.45) grabbed the silver.

3 BRONZE IN SHOOTING

Pakistani shooters won three bronze medals in the shooting competition at naval base shooting range. Pakistan completed its campaign in the event, winning two gold, one silver and three bronze medals.

Mohammad Boota won the first bronze in the 10m air pistol with a individual score of 666.4. India claimed gold and silver through Amanpreet Singh (673.7) and Om Prakash (667.9).

The second bronze came in the 10m air pistol team event in which Boota along with Irshad Ali and Tariq Manzoor scored (1684) before Indian side took the gold (577) with Sri Lanka grabbing the silver with a score of 1688.

Pakistani team of Mohammad Mushtaq, Mohammad Ayaz and Tufail Ahmed captured bronze in the 50m rifle prone collecting 1713 points. India bagged the gold (1757) and Sri Lanka walked away with silver (1745).

PAKISTAN BEAT NEPAL

Pakistan scored their first victory in the volleyball tournament with a 25-14, 25-17, 25-20 win over Nepal at Sugathadasa indoor stadium.

Pakistan faced stiff resistance from Nepal in the third set but managed to overcome the spirited rivals. Coached by Bulgarian coach, Strahil Balov, the visitors enjoyed a perfect start with an attacking game and defended well.

Mohammad Zaman, Mohammad Ihsanullah, Zaheer Abbas, Sanaullah and Ali Abbas were the notable scorers, while Shah Bahart, Chaudhary Pashupati, Bhatta Kaicash , Malla Gyan and Panday Keshan played well for Nepal.

KABADDI WIN

Pakistan thrashed Sri Lanka in Games kabbadi contest with a 48-10 victory to reach final at National Youth Centre.

Pakistan will be playing India in its last league match on Friday. However the match will have no significance since Pakistan have already made the final after beating Bangladesh and Nepal. The final will be played on Saturday.

Pakistani players exhibited fine technique and agility to beat their physically inferior rivals, leading the first session 23-3. Wajid Ali, Nasir, Akbar, Maqsood and Badsha Gul played well in their team's success.

Meanwhile, Pakistan start their campaign in taekwondo on Friday.—APP