August 13, 2008	Wednesday	Sha’aban 10, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 12: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has planned to work on a fast track sports youth development policy to enhance the participation of Pakistani athletes in the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Ameer Hamza Giliani, D.G. PSB, talking to Dawn on Tuesday hinted that his organisation was planning to revive Pakistan’s lost Olympic glory.

Giliani said: “We will follow an aggressive youth sports development policy of U-14 / 15 level involving both boys and girls and provide them international coaching in athletics, swimming and other Olympic games.

“The PSB will extend every facility to the players from financial to international level training but for every athlete the target will be winning a medal in the 2012

London Games for Pakistan,” Giliani observed. Currently at the Beijing Olympic Games, the Pakistan hockey squad failed to impress the nation on the opening match against Great Britain going down 4-2.

Pakistan’s lone marksman Siddique Umer also finished 48th in the 10-metre Air Rifle shooting event while an Indian, Abhinav Bindra, grabbed gold, the first ever individual medal for his country.

“We have shortened our medal winning vision and are now eyeing only SAF medals but we must vie for an Olympic gold,” said the former national shot put athlete.

“It’s not just about sending a small or big contingent it’s about reaching the podium and returning home with dignity,” he responded when asked as to why the smallest ever contingent is representing Pakistan in the Beijing Olympic Games.

Regarding the government policy to send some 12 federation officials packing who were holding their offices for more than two terms, he said: “We will not follow any lenient policy as it’s a cabinet decision and we have to act according to the directives of the government.”