LAHORE Saleem Raza, who is going to represent Pakistan as well as Asia for the first time in the history in the Disabled British Open Golf Tournament in East Sussex National Golf Resort and Spa from August 19 to 21, has appealed the President, Prime Minister and PGF President to help him otherwise the lack of funds can deprive him of appearing in this mega event. Talking exclusively to TheNation, Saleem, Pakistan handicap golfer and former first class cricketer, said: I will leave for London on August 4 to take part in the tournament which is being organised there for the third time in the disabled category and it is my second entry in the prestigious tournament as a first Pakistan representative in Disabled British Open Golf event. Earlier, I appeared in this tournament in September 2010 and finished 10th. He further said that he was a captain of Gujranwala Golf Club. I am captain of Gujranwala Golf Club and have been playing golf there regularly. I am the only disabled golfer who is participating in the national golf tournaments with normal persons and has won many prizes and top positions in various events. Recalling his past, Saleem said: I am a former first class cricketer and played first class cricket for three years (1987 to 1990). I took part in the countrys prestigious cricket tournament Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and also played university level cricket as I was a captain of Islamia University, Bahawalpur. But severe accident in 1992 made me disabled and forced me to stay on bed. Talking about his golfing career, he stated: I have started my career as a golfer in 1997 and right from the beginning I proved my worth in the game and earned a lot of respect by winning different national level events. My first achievement was second position in Net in the Punjab Open Golf Championship in 1998. Then I continued performing well in every tournament and was declared the best disabled golfer in 2008. My international career begins when I represented Pakistan Punjab team in the third Punjab Golf Championship held in Chandigarh, India from Oct 26 to 30, 2008. My performance in that event was also very satisfactory and was appreciated a lot by Indians, he added. Discussing about participation in the Disabled British Open Golf Tournament, he said: When I heard about the tournament in which disabled persons can take part I was very happy and immediately submitted my entry and went for it. It was held in East Sussex National Golf Resort and Spa in September 2010 and I tried my best to perform well and due to my good show in the event I finished 10th which was a great honour for me and for my country as well. To a query, he replied: I am hopeful of finishing among the top five this year as I am going there some days earlier which will help me to practice well and make me ready to play superb golf there. At the one side of coin, it was a great honour for the country and for the continent as Saleem is their sole representative to appear in the mega event but on the other side, this handicap player has not much resources to bear all the expenses and if he may not able to meet the expenses, he will miss the mega event which will be the worst thing for the country and the federation. When contacted, Secretary Pakistan Golf Federation Taimur Hassan said: We appreciate the efforts of Mr Saleem Raza who is doing well in the field of golf and due to his all-out efforts, he is able to appear in the Disabled British Open Golf Tournament. Whatever he asked from us we have provided him after the consultation of executive body and approval of President PGF General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. But he did not ask us for any financial assistance rather he said that he would arrange all the other things on his own so he should do it. Mr Taimur wished him best of luck and hoped that he would perform well and bring laurels to the country. But now Saleem has appealed President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan Golf Federation President General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and philanthropists to come forward and assist him in representing the country in the Disabled British Open Golf so that he may bring laurels to the country.