LAHORE, Dec 27: The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) hailed the role of Pakistan in helping India to get the hosting rights of 2010 Commonwealth Games. In a letter, the OCA honorary life president Air Chief Marshal O.P Mehra, addressed to the then Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) secretary Mohammad Latif Butt, who launched the campaign for the Indian bid, says: "I was delighted to learn that you have been extending your support to India's National Olympic Committee (NOC). Indian NOC Secretary Raja Randhir Singh emphatically stated that you played a vital role in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, assigned to India. Such actions are worthy of emulation by all concerned in Pakistan and India.”

Latif, who was forced to resign as the POA secretary last year due to ailing health was also honoured by the OCA in the Asian Games, held in Doha, Qatar this year where the Pakistan contingent showed their poorest performance.