PESHAWAR, May 02 (APP):Hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Haleema Ghayoor of Pakistan is under rigorous training in the International Cycling Union World Cycling Center Korea Satellite, based near Yeongju in South Korea.
Talking exclusively, Haleema Ghayoor, a national gold medalist, is currently in Korea on 50-day training program introduced by the World Cycling Center Korea Satellite since 2013 for the prominent cyclists of Asian riders and their coaches.
Hameela’s Pakistani coach Mishba Mushtaq is also under training there. Both the female cyclists were sent by Pakistan Cycling Federation under an 8-year long agreement. The WCC has so far delivered 2 to 3 residential camps a year for invited Asian riders, and their coaches. The Center has completed 10 camps over the 4 years and had trained 50 plus coaches, over a 100 riders, from over 40 different nations. Riders have ranged from regional level to riders competing at World Championships.
There is two type of Camps – Camp-1 under WCC-KS Program comprising 1-50 day camp for elite male and female riders (road and track focus) and Camp 2-50 day camp for junior riders (road and track focus).
The camps are based at Yeongju Keirin school, where we have the use of two velodromes, an Olympic standard weight lifting facility, a 2km closed road circuit, a roller room as well as Watt bikes as well as a quiet road network, with varied terrains and a partially closed 2km runway.
Talking to APP when contacted, Haleema said that she is working currently alongside some of the best coaches and cycling experts in Korea, in the build up to major international cycling events. This is a really exciting time for Asian cycling, as South Korea, working in partnership with the UCI, aims to increase the level of competitive cycling across the continent and Pakistan is among them, so good luck for the cyclists from Pakistan to have this standard of training free of cost.
He said that the benefits of the performance coaching and other features are more important regarding the present day training. She said having trained around a 1,000 cycling coaches for British Cycling and the UCI WCC, and in combination with doctoral research in exercise physiology, offered a unique perspective upon the performance coaching landscape.
Thus, I am able to draw upon an array of experiences and expertise to be able to effectively progress riders from beginner to Continental and World level cyclists. I do not offer stock training plans, but take the time to develop my cycling as a whole, she added.
“Significant limitations to progression are often no so much to do with fine tuning physical development, but more frequently associated with confidence and having a belief to succeed,” she said, adding “organizational, technical and tactical limitations do equally impinge progression.” “I mean a
structured plan is only the tip of the iceberg with regard to the support needed for many riders to consistently progress,” she remarked.
“Actually things are here absolutely perfect, fetching is the sporting gear that are in use from different training either in the field of physical fitness, endurance or speed and control are concerned,” she disclosed. Secretary General PCF Syed Azhar Ali Shah thank to Chayol Koo, President,
South Korean Cycling Federation and Secretary, Sung Joo KIM for facilitating Pakistan male female cyclists.
To generate a culture where I can get training as rider and I can keep my strength in an appropriate manner and the support and guidance from the coaches to hand to progress effectively. When contacted coach Mr. Chester lauded the way Haleem is getting his point during three different sessions – morning, afternoon and evening.
“I am really pleased with the way the riders I am working with have performed and progressive with every day passing. Most goals set at the start are achieved by the end, and it’s incredible to see how a rider can develop over the course of each season. As a coach seeing success across the range of individuals I am currently working with is inspiring and also gives me confidence that what I am doing is highly effective,” Mr. Chester said.
He said: “One to one coaching involves working specifically with individual, or teams or riders to help them achieve their cycling goals.” “Riders are provided with ongoing training plans, and support,
personally tailored to enable them to meet the technical, tactical, physical and psychological demands of the events or goals they are targeting,” he added.
To coach a rider effectively, it is important to maintain regular contact, ideally this would be face to face meetings and opportunities for the coach to observe a rider race and or train, although this is not always practical with riders’ lifestyle constraints, he said, adding “so I also use a range of communication methods to ensure communication between coach and rider is easy and fluid.”
Training of Pakistan’s Haleema at World Cycling Center Korean Satellite in full swing
Iranian Ambassador calls on CM Punjab
LAHORE, May 02 (APP):Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, here on Wednesday.
During the meeting, international political situation, problems being faced by the Muslim Ummah and prospects of enhanced bilateral cooperation between the two countries came under discussion.
The Iranian Ambassador also congratulated Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif over becoming the party president.
Talking on the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif said that meeting with Mehdi Honardoost had always been a delightful occasion for him.
Further expansion in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran is need of the hour, he said.
Iran is not only an important neighbouring country but the mutual relations are also intricately conjoined in strong bonds of love and affection.
The graph of Pakistan-Iran relations must not pull-down in any case. Both the countries will have to work collectively for the greater cause of mutual success, development and prosperity of the people, concluded the Chief Minister.
The Iranian Ambassador said that Iran and Pakistan had mutual relations of trust and confidence, adding that vast opportunities of Pakistan-Iran trade existed and the volume of trade could be enhanced by expanding bilateral cooperation.
He said that Muslim World was going through a critical period of time and the conspiracies would have to be countered jointly.
Iranian Consul General in Lahore, Majid Sadeghi Dowlatabadi, Political Consular Mehmood Baladi, Economic Secretary Mohsin Fateh Abar, Economic Consular Mehdi Abedini, Kh. Ahmed Hassan and others were present on the occasion.
Islamic Military Alliance preparing strategy to effectively deal with terrorism: Lt Gen Abdulelah
JEDDAH, May 2 (APP):Acting Secretary General of Islamic Military Alliance Lt Gen Abdulelah bin Usman Al Saleh has said Joint Islamic Military Alliance was in the process of preparing a strategy in consultation with experts of allied countries to effectively deal with terrorism.
Talking to a Pakistani media delegation here, he said the support of government of Pakistan and especially of its armed forces had strengthened Saudi Arabia’s resolve to fight against terrorism.
He said every citizen of Saudi Arabia had great respect for Pakistan’s political and moral support. “Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong bonds of bilateral friendship, love and common faith, and in the coming years these relations would be converted into new forms in the fields of economic and military cooperation.”
Presently, armies of 24 Islamic countries are working under the supervision of Lt Gen Abdulelah bin Usman Al Saleh and this alliance has unprecedented power and professional capabilities.
Responding to a question, he said the whole world, especially Muslim countries were facing the challenges of terrorism and required comprehensive strategy to deal with it.
He said extraordinary alertness and capabilities, from intelligence to every level of operation, were required against terrorism, otherwise elimination of the threat would be difficult.
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammad Bin Salman announced formation of the military alliance in December 2015.
At the meeting, the leaders of the Islamic countries expressed resolve to increase efforts and work jointly in the war against terrorism.
The aim of establishment of the alliance was to ensure effective cooperation between Islamic countries and increase cooperation with other states and international organizations, share information on terror financing and provide logistic support and training in the global war against terror.
Lt Gen Abdulelah termed intelligence agencies’ role and bilateral cooperation vital to eliminate terrorism.
He said Pakistan was facing the challenge of terrorism for the last several years, and the way the Pakistan government, armed forces and media tackled the menace was appreciable.
He said Saudi Arabia had also learnt from the strategy of Pakistani government and armed forces. He said the Islamic Joint Military Alliance admired Pakistan government and armed forces’ strategy to eliminate terrorism.
Terrorists wanted to create sense of insecurity among people by carrying out subversive activities. To effectively tackle them greater unity and preparedness were required, he added.
He said media could play a vital role in creating awareness to deal with external and internal challenges in an effective way. He appreciated the role of Pakistani media for highlighting the sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed forces in war against terrorism and in forging national unity.
He said in the present era, media had a role that impacted all segments of the society and could help ensure peace and stability.
He called upon Media of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and other allied countries to discourage activities fomenting extremism.
He underlined the need for improved coordination and sharing of expertise among media houses of Islamic countries.
Special ceremony for Gayari martyrs held
RAWALPINDI, May 02 (APP):A special ceremony was held at Gayari, Siachen to pay tributes to the ‘Shuhada’ (martyrs)
of Gayari, who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty in 2012 due to a massive snow avalanche.
Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman, Corps Commander Rawalpindi, Lieutenant General Nadeem Raza and relatives of martyrs attended the ceremony, said a press release issued here by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Corps Commander Rawalpindi laid wreath at the Shuhada Monument. Paying rich tributes to the martyrs and their families, Corps Commander Rawalpindi said Pakistan Army would always remember its officers and men, who laid their lives while defending the motherland.
Hafeez allowed to resume bowling in international cricket
LAHORE, May 02 (APP):The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that following remedial work and re-assessment,the bowling action of Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez has been found to be legal, and the off-spinner can now resume bowling in international cricket.
On 17 April, Hafeez underwent a re-assessment of his bowling action at the Loughborough University where it was revealed that the amount of elbow extension in his bowling action was within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC Illegal Bowling Regulations, said an announcement of the ICC here on Wednesday.
The Match Officials are still at liberty to report Hafeez in the future if they believe he is displaying a suspect action and not reproducing the legal action from the reassessment.
To assist the Match Officials, they will be provided with images and video footage of the bowler’s remodeled legal bowling action.
Meanwhile, the Windies’ Ronsford Beaton has failed an independent assessment and is suspended from bowling in international cricket. The fast bowler had been reported with a suspect bowling action during the second ODI against New Zealand in Christchurch on 24 December.
Back ground on Hafeez’s suspensions for illegal actions.Hafeez was first suspended from bowling in December 2014 after being reported in November 2014 during a Test series in November. Following remedial work on his bowling action he was re-assessed and permitted to resume bowling in April 2015.
Hafeez was then suspended from bowling in July 2015 for 12 months following a second suspensionwithin 24 months. He was re-assessed and permitted to resume bowling in November 2016.
Hafeez was reported for the third time during the Abu Dhabi ODI against Sri Lanka in October 2017 and was subsequently suspended in November 2017 after an independent assessment revealed he had employed an illegal bowling action.
Balochistan wins inter provincial karate championship
LAHORE, May 02 (APP):Balochistan won the Inter Provincial Karate Championship on Wednesday at Sahiwal.
Teams from all the affiliated Provincial Karate Association Punjab, KP, Sindh, Balochistan, Islamabad and FATA participated in the event held under the aegis of Pakistan Karate Federation.
Showing all round skills and superior technique ,karatakas from Balochistan accumulated 97 points to win the title as KPK secured the second having won 85 points. Punjab had to content with third place 71 points.
Ali Bahadur Qazi Commissioner Sahiwal was the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony of the hampionship. He announced Rs.3000- for Gold Medalist, Rs.2000- for Silver Medalist and Rs.1000- for bronze Medalist of the event.
Sardar Asad Ali Khan Baloch, Mayor Sahiwal was the Chief Guest at the Closing Ceremony.
Muhammad Jahangir Chairman, Pakistan Karate Federation and Secretary, Andleeb Sandhu Secretary was also present on the occasion.
Neelam-Jhelum project experiences four natural disasters during construction: Feng
BEIJING, May 2 (APP):The recently inaugurated Neelam-Jhelum Hydropower project has experienced four major natural disasters during its construction in the past ten years, Feng Xinglong, Chairman of China’s Gezhouba Group said.
Feng, in an interview with Chinese website ‘Sina.com’ published on Wednesday, said each disaster had pushed the project to the brink of failure.
He said in 2010, a major flood in 100 years occurred in Pakistan, and facilities were destroyed in the entire tender area; in 2014, floods were re-emerged, and the stilling pools under construction were submerged; in 2014, water was poured through tunnels in river sections; and in 2015, a tunnel boring machine encountered a strong rock burst, resulting in buried equipment and extensive damage to parts.
Faced with the catastrophic situation, Chinese builders relied on their excellent skills and tenacious spirit, he added.
Feng said every time they successfully rescued the project from the brink of failure, especially after the extremely strong rock burst, Chinese technicians rapidly responded to the damaged equipment. The ground repairs were carried out and repair work was completed and excavation resumed in only seven months without affecting the quality of the project.
Had other foreign manufacturers been asked to replace all the damaged parts, only the parts procurement and shipping time cycle would be up to one year, and the cost would be high, he added.
Feng said it was the China Gezhouba Group, which was responsible for the construction of the Pakistan’s national hydropower project.
He said since the project was launched in January 2008, it had overcome one difficulty after another with decade-long technology, excellent skills, and unremitting persistence. Ultimately leading the “Three Gorges Project in Pakistan” ushered in today’s new glory, he added.
Feng said at the beginning of the project, Chinese employees interpreted the project’s initials NJ as “No Joke”. ”It is the pride of China’s builders, who have succeeded in the project, and have not allowed it to fail, as well as serious and serious rigor,” he added.
He said in order to ensure the smooth progress of the project construction and benefit from the completion of the project, the company strived to achieve excellence in the selection of all equipment.
On the construction equipment, where the project site was located, where the “world’s top construction equipment exposition” was opened; on the permanent equipment, as the core of the hydropower station, the generator set selected the domestic top-level products, providing continuous and stable power generation after the completion of the power station.
With Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi personally pressing the unit start button in the control room, the first 243,000 kilowatts unit of the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower plant was officially put into commercial operation.
In his speech, the prime minister acknowledged the hard work of the Chinese builders that made the “impossible task” a success and became another important result of the cooperation between the two countries.
Although, the total installed capacity of 969,000 kilowatts, the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower station was of special significance to other power plants in Pakistan.
According to the news portal, geographically, the power plant was located on the upper stream of the Indus River, the Jhelum River. It was Pakistan’s first large-scale hydropower station built on the upper reaches of the Indus River.
The news portal said,“It is a unique case of the unique design of the long water diversion tunnel and underground powerhouse built and constructed in Pakistan. It has a small impact on the natural environment.
“The river has a low requirement for drop height, but with it, the difficulty of construction increases. The total length of the underground project is 68 kilometres, the maximum depth is close to two kilometres, and it passes through the large fault zone in the Himalayas.
It is these special features that allow Pakistanis to always have special feelings for the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower station, calling it “Pakistan’s Three Gorges Project.”
On the wall of the conference room of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, there are several characters: “Open and inclusive, clear, honest, and enterprising.”
According to Feng, this was what the project builders had concluded in the past ten years. The spirit of the Neelum-Jhelum was based on this spirit. The builders had overcome challenges and difficulties one by one and stepped the project to success.
With the Gezhouba Group further deepening its efforts in the Pakistan hydropower sector, especially the construction of the Sukikinari and Dasu hydropower stations had been launched one after another.
This spirit from the “Three Gorges Project in Pakistan” would also be carried forward at more project sites to help the Pakistani government and the people had built more great hydropower projects that benefit the country and the people.
Development budget for HEC increased to Rs. 47 bln for providing better opportunities to youth: Ahsan
ISLAMABAD, May 2 (APP):Minister for Interior, Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said for providing better opportunities
to the youth the present government has increased development budget of Higher
Education Commission (HEC) from Rs. 13 billion in 2013 to Rs. 47 billion.
The development budget of HEC was Rs. 22 billion in 2016-17,
Rs. 35 billion in 2017-18 and now it has been increased to Rs. 47
billion, he said this while addressing a launching ceremony of
National Human Development Report – Unleashing potential of a Young
Pakistan.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan has
launched the Report which has been authored by Dr. Adil Najam and
Dr. Faisal Bari. The Report focuses on the youth as a critical force
for shaping human development, because Pakistan currently has the largest
generation of young people ever in its history, with about two-thirds of total
population under 30 years of age.
Ahsan Iqbal said, “Future of Pakistan is linked with its youth.
We have to train the youth as per our future requirements. The
incumbent government is making concerted efforts to make the youth an
asset of the country.”
The Minister said the youth have a crucial role in economic
development of a country, adding that “We are digitally empowering
the youth through provision of laptops to ensure their contribution
in process of progress and prosperity.”
Pakistan is included in countries where youth is in majority, he
said and added the government’s utmost priority is to make investment in
youth for ensuring peace and prosperity.
He said present government has laid foundation of knowledge economy
in the country. The basic of literacy, he said is computer literacy which
would transform entire system based on modern technology.
Ahsan Iqbal, who is also Minister for Planning Development
and Reforms said, standards of development had changed and now the
development of a country depended upon a few things.
“We need to enhance our production capacity and improve our
standard continuously. We need to introduce knowledge and
information revolution in the country and introduce innovations in
all sectors,” he said.
The Minister said Pakistan had huge potential to get place
among top economies of the world for which “We need to conduct
research on modern ground,” adding that the government had already
started projects to establish centres of excellence for artificial
intelligence, cyber security, big data, cloud computing and robots.
He said digital Pakistan was aimed at equipping the young
generation with modern technology to ensure its effective usage.
“We must put Pakistan on road to prosperity with help of
all areas and segments of the country,” however, it is only possible
when we have competitiveness and stability.
He said the government had already taken effective initiatives
to establish universities campus at each district of the country to provide
quality education for students at local level.
Speaking on economic turnaround of Pakistan, the Minister
said the economy has seen a steady growth from 2.5% in 2013 to 5.8 %.
The Minister also updated the audience on improved energy situation
in the country and said more than 11,000 MW electricity has been added to
national grid during last five years while during 66 years only 18,000 MW
electricity was generated.
He appreciated UNDP for launch of its report which, he said,
would help in shaping policy for Pakistan’s youth.
In her brief address, Chairperson, Benazir Income Support
Programme (BISP), Marvi Memon said she is committed to putting
into action the important recommendations of this report and will
take the report to parliament.
Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Takashi Kurai termed the
report as excellent and comprehensive and emphasized the need of
urgency to act and realize true potential of youth in Pakistan.
Dr. Adil Najam said he is proud to have been part of such a
bright, dedicated and insightful team and thanked the other team members.
On the occasion, United Nations Resident Coordinator and
Humanitarian Coordinator Neil Buhne and UNDP Country Director,
Mr. Ignacio Artaza highlighted different features of the Report.
They said it is imperative to invest in youth now, today, while
they are still youth; not only to enhance personal well-being of the
youth but also to enhance country’s human development.
Four nuclear power plants at Chashma connected to grid after green signal by NTDC
ISLAMABAD, May 2 (APP):All four Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) at Chashma have been connected to the national grid on May 2, after National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) gave green signal for grid stability, clarified Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) here in a statement on Wednesday.
The country faced acute power shortfall since early morning of last Tuesday as National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) grid lines tripped suddenly.
Due to this break in the electrical transmission lines of the national grid, all four (4) nuclear power units at Chashma Nuclear Power station, were safely tripped automatically after actuation of in-built safety feature.
The spokesperson of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Shahid Riaz Khan clarified that these Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) have not shut down due to any internal faults of the plants rather it was initiated by tripping of Ludewala-Gatti lines and then tripping of Daud-Khel(DK)-Peshawar lines.
During the power swing, the CNPGS-DK line-2 at DK end and CNPGS-Bannu lines at Bannu end also tripped which resulted in trip of the plants.
It is pertinent to mention here that stability of the power transmission grid is essential for the operation of NPPs. These nuclear power plants may be reconnected to the grid only after passing through all steps of the essential safety protocols and this whole process takes some time.
Therefore, stability of the grid is of prime importance for the safe operation of nuclear power plants. The PAEC spokesperson added that the maintenance of grid-lines is mandatory for the safe operation of these nuclear power plants and stability in the transmission lines of the national grid may be ensured to avoid any adverse effect on the plants.
He said the capacity factors of these plants are over 90 percent and may be increased if grid stability is ensured.
Under CPEC project several road infrastructure schemes launched : Kareem
ISLAMABAD, May 02 (APP):Federal Minister for Communications Dr Hafiz Abdul Karim said during the tenure of present government, record increase has been made in construction and extension of motorway and highways throughout the country. Under gigantic China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, a number of mega projects connecting to the ports were undertaken.
He was talking to Ambassador of Morocco Mohamed Karmoune who called on him at Ministry of Communications here Wednesday.
Secretary Communications Furqab Bahudar Khan, Additional Secretary Ministry of Communications Tashfeen Khan and senior officers of Ministry of Communications were also present. A detailed briefing regarding motorways and national highways and their connectivity to the Gwadar Port was also given.
The minister said presently Pakistan was focusing on implementing China Pakistan Economic Corridor under which a coordinated motorways and highways network was being built throughout the country.
Completion of the Western Route of the CPEC stands among priorities of the government and this 2471km long route passes through areas like D.I Khan, Zhob, Quetta, Sorab-Hoshab and Gwadar. Its completion will open up new avenues of economic uplift in the developing regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, he added.
It was told that, once completed Gwadar port will become the second largest port of the world and the first largest of this region. It was informed that Morocco may be linked up with Gwadar through sea route.
Expressing interest in CPEC project, Mohamed Karmoune said, Pakistan was making marvelous progress.
He said Morocco and Pakistan were bound in age old Islamic cultural relationship. Brotherly ties between the two countries will further be strengthened in the years to come, he added.