April 24, 2007	Tuesday	Rabi-us-Sani 06, 1428

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LAHORE, April 23: Former Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) secretary Mohammad Latif Butt has become the country's second and the World 8th sports person, who was conferred ANOC Merit Awards by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

The award for Latif was announced in 1998 and conferred on him in the last OCA General Council meeting, which was held in Kuwait on April 17.

Earlier, the OCA had given the award to former president POA Syed Wajid Ali Shah. The other world personalities were Hosni Moubarak (President of Egypt), Fidel Castro (President of Cuba), Jacques Chirac (President of France), Sheikh Fahad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (Kuwait), S.M Juan Carlos I (Spain), Jacques Rogge (Belgium) and Juan Antonio Samaranch (Spain).

Latif Butt was also among three, who were elected as advisors to the OCA by the general council meeting, which also elected new office-bearers of the OCA in Kuwait along side the award giving ceremony.

Latif,however, lost the post as vice-president OCA as the POA did not recommend his name to contest the elections for the consecutive third time and instead fielded its president Lt. Gen. (retd.) Arif Hasan, who succeeded.

Latif had resigned as POA secretary, a couple of years ago, due to health problems, but many believe he had developed differences with the POA president Arif Hasan. And under that circumstances he did not have support from the POA to be again elected as OCA vice-president for the third consecutive time.

Meanwhile, a special ceremony was held at a local hotel on Monday to honour Latif for winning the award.

Latif, speaking on the occasion said, the post of advisor had been specially created this time and it would help him to continue association with the OCA.

He said the award had not been conferred on him on the recommendation of the POA or any other country but his own services for the promotion of sports in Asia paid the dividend.

"It is a great honour for me and for my country that such a award came to Pakistan," he said.

Latif said during his tenure he made efforts to make South Asian region one-unit to compete for its right at the OCA and IOC's level. He said Pakistan played a key role in awarding India the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He said cooperation with India in sports could even remove political differences in the two neighboring countries.

It may be mentioned that Indian Air Chief Marshal O.P Mehra, who is honorary life president OCA had already admitted Latif's services rendered for awarding the Commonwealth Games to India.

Latif, however, said that he had no differences with the POA and he was always available to do some better for the country.