March 31, 2008	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 22, 1429

LAHORE, March 30: Several people connected with horse-racing are of the view that the President’s Pride of Performance award for jockey Shahid Rehman is in fact recognition for horse racing as a sport and acknowledgement of the jockey’s achievements and devotion to the sport.

While voicing their views over the gesture, they told Dawn that the award would go a long way in invigorating other talented horsemen who would emulate Shahid Rehman.

The former national hockey captain Munir Dar, himself a horse owner and steward of the Jockey Club Of Pakistan (JCP), said that it is for the first time in the country’s history that a jockey has been awarded the Pride Of Performance, a very encouraging aspect.

Lahore Race Club (LRC) steward Syed Parvaiz Hussain Shah has said that the award would infuse a new spirit of dedication and struggle among the jockeys to acquire excellence in riding.

Meanwhile owners Mian Maahir Ahmad and Mahmood Khan said that they have been witnessing such awards being conferred on jockeys and trainers in Britain and other European countries and even in neighbouring India.

Leading trainers Sohail Aziz and Haji Fazal Hadi were of the opinion that the sport would carry a lot more attraction for people now.—AG