ISLAMABAD, Aug 7: Commonwealth Games gold-winning boxer Haider Ali and weightlifter Muhammad Irfan who won three silver medals for Pakistan, were formally honoured here Wednesday by their employers Wapda.

Both players were given promotion and a cash award of Rs 100,000 each for their exploits at the Games in Manchester which came to a close Sunday.

Irfan leapfrogged from grade 11 to 17 to become an officer in the organisation, his promotion coming with all perks that go with the new grade. Haider, who was already in Grade 17 was promoted to 18.

The promotions of the two players are in line with Wapda’s policy of honouring sportsmen who excel in international competitions.

Brig Mohammad Ali, president of Wapda Sports Board said that his organisation would continue to support and encourage athletes so that they earn more laurels for the country.

At the Games, Haider who competed in the featherweight category (upto 57kgs) defeated India’s Som Bahadur Pun in the final. Irfan on the other hand lost to Cameroon’s Tientcheu Dabaya because of body weight to take silver medals.