ISLAMABAD - Aqsa Ahmed Janjua opened Pakistan's medal account in World Special Games in Los Angles with impressive run and won silver medal in swimming, while Pakistan also won two silver medals in cycling whereas two boy cyclist also bagged one bronze medal each for country.
Special Olympics Pakistan volunteer M Khalid Rehmani informed this scribe from Los Angles and said: “Aqsa brought first medal for the country in the 50 meter free style in swimming. She finished second as her time was 58.40. Luo Xiau Chun of China won the gold medal with 55.90 timing, whereas third position was captured by Skrij Ema of Slovenia, with 58.61 timing. It was a Division 8 event and six special athletes were placed in this group on the basis of their ability test carried out during divisoning sessions.”
“Mehmona Hussain won the first silver in 500 meter female cycling race, as her time was 1.15.72. She was fractionally behind Indian Meera kumara whose timing was 1.14.58. In another 500 meter time and trial race, Khadija Irfan won second silver for the country, with timing of 2.23.44. Salman Siddiqui and Usman Saeed bagged bronze in 500 meter time and trial cycle race to complete the day with two silver and two bronze for Pakistan. Two girls Uzma Yousuf and Sumbal Yousuf finished eighth (last position) in same time and trial cycle races,” he added.
“In Basketball, Pakistan's (special) team convincingly defeated Portugal with 23-10 score in the first round robin match of Division 3 at Galen Center which had four quality basketball courts. It was a division 3 match, other two teams in this group are Israel and Poland. Special Olympian M Usman was unstoppable during the match and he remained top scorer and earned deciding 12 baskets for Pakistan. Waheedur Rehman pocketed 5 baskets, Zahid Muhammed Abuzar 4 baskets and Akhter Ali Khatak also scored 2 baskets for Pakistan,” Rehmani concluded.