Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) will be sponsoring Pakistan athletes to represent the county at the London Paralympics Games, starting from August 29. This announcement was made by CEO PPAF Qazi Azmat Isa at a simple but impressive ceremony to mark the launch of official website (www.npcpakistan.org) of the National Paralympics Committee of Pakistan (NPCP) on Friday here.
Two athletes namely Ali Haider, who suffers from cerebral palsy that affected his right leg muscles and silver medalist at Beijing Paralympics Games, and Naeem Masiah will represent Pakistan in the upcoming Paralympics Games under the aegis of NPCP and financial support of PPAF. Ali Haider will contest for medal in long jump as well as 100 meter and 200 meter race while Naeem Masiah will take part in 1500 meter and 800 meter race.
The two athletes, along with their support staff, will depart for London on July 24 for the pre-games training camp arranged at the University of Bedfordshire-UK to take part in the international event.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Executive of Quest for Economic Development – a UK-based charity – Ms. Adeeba Malik said that the athletes are great ambassadors of the country. She said that a reception would be hosted for the athletes in the UK while they would also like to collaborate with PPAF in the accomplishment of its vision of poverty alleviation.
The website has been launched to showcase more than a decade of endeavours of the organization for the promotion of the Paralympic Movement in Pakistan and the achievements of its people with disabilities who turned athlete as a result thereof.
PPAF is largest source of pro-poor spending outside Public Sector Development Programme and the Federal budget. Set up as a fully autonomous private sector institution, PPAF enjoys facilitation and support from the Government of Pakistan, the World Bank, IFAD, USDA, KfW and US Corporate Sector. Outreach of PPAF now extends throughout Pakistan and its microcredit, water and infrastructure, drought mitigation, education, health and emergency response interventions have been widely recognized. As the largest institution of its kind in the world, PPAF has received high performance ratings from donors.
Unfortunately, the PPAF has not yet provided (till Dec 2013) its committed amount of sponsorship to NPC – Pakistan despite frequent reminders and submission of account details of the amount given in advance in July 2012. Undue delay has badly effected the programs of the organization meant for our physical rehabilitation through sports.
PPAF is an esteemed organization and must honor its commitment.
Haider Ali – Athlete with disability
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