ISLAMABAD, July 5: Female sprinter Sadaf Siddiqui will represent the country for the first time in 100 metres and 200 metres race events at the Olympics which are starting in Beijing, China, from Aug 8.

Sadaf, 22, was among the two athletes who were selected by the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) on Saturday to become part of the 39-member Beijing-bound Pakistan contingent.

The other athlete selected is Abdul Rasheed, who is country’s best 110m hurdle sprinter.

Although women have often represented Pakistan in Olympics and other international events, it is for the first time that a female is representing the country in 100m and 200m disciplines.

Sadaf told Dawn, “I am excited to represent Pakistan. I am passionate about sports since I was five-year old and wanted my name to be written in history books.”

She had won two bronze medals in 100m relay and 200m sprint race in the 10th SAF Games in Colombo, Sri Lanka, two years ago.

Sadaf also holds a national record in 200m race by clocking 24.36 seconds.

Khalid Mahmood, the AFP secretary, told Dawn on Saturday the athletes are likely to leave for China on Aug 1.

He said both athletes were selected on merit and after clearing doping tests.

Abdur Rasheed said that it was his dream to represent Pakistan in Olympics.

“For me it’s a dream and will come true when I’ll represent the country in the major event,” said the 28-year-old Rasheed.

“I became more enthusiastic about sports when I as a university student won the 110m hurdle race in the All-Pakistan University Championship in 2000,” he said.

Rasheed currently holds the national record of winning the 110m hurdle race in 13.88 seconds.

“I will try to break my compatriot’s record of 14.11 seconds,” claimed the energetic player.

Pakistan’s Ghluam Abbas had set a record of 14.11 seconds in 110m hurdles in the fourth SAF Games in 1989.

Rasheed eye’s Liu Xiang, Olympic record holder in 110m hurdles, as his sports hero.

“Sitting with players like Liu Xiang and racing in the same heat means the most historic movement of my life,” said the smiling athlete.

Rasheed won silver medal in 60m hurdles in the Indoor Asian Athletics Championship in February this year.