Pak Athletics chief going to London on a mission

Karachi: Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) president Akram Sahi has said he hopes to build ties with top IAAF officials during the London Olympics to improve Pakistan``s image in the sports arena.

Sahi emphasised that he is determined to help Pakistani athletes get their chance to train in countries like Kenya and Jamaica so that they can start competing in major tournaments. "I am heading to London with a mission to strengthen ties with the IAAF officials as well as other national``s representatives so I can request them to allow our players to train with their star athletes in specialised camps," He stressed that Pakistan athletics can only improve by training with top athletes on foreign soil. For distance runners, Sahi will be meeting his Kenyan counterparts to seek their help while for the sprinters he will be talking to Jamaican officials as they have produced the best sprinters in recent times. "I have taken this as a challenge and will do everything I can because it could be a major breakthrough for Pakistan athletics," he added. Two Pakistani representatives in the London Games - Liaquat Ali 100m) and Rabia Ashiq (800m) - requested him to accompany them, according to Sahi, and he will go to London on August 2 to encourage the pair as well as witness the likes of Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake in the 100m. ANI