KARACHI
\nThough the curtain has fallen on the National Games in Quetta, the performance of our stunning athletes is going to be remembered forever. Every province had its share of medals and performances, but for Sindh, the brilliant performance of rising swimming star Hareem Malik made us proud as she won the most number of gold medals from the Sindh Contingent.
\nHareem won as many three gold medals in the Games\u2019 swimming discipline while her other compatriot Meher Maqbool of Sindh also won a gold medal to take the tally to four gold medals for their province in the swimming events of the just-concluded 34th National Games held in Quetta.
\nThe 14-year-old Hareem Malik won gold medals in 50m, 100m, and 200m breaststroke contests while 13-year old Meher Maqbool bagged a gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle swimming held at the Punjab International Swimming Complex in Lahore.
\nHareem Malik clinched top honours in the 100m breaststroke, clocking just one minute and 23.21 seconds.
\nBoth the talented teenagers have attributed their success to their hard work and the efforts of their coaches and the support of their families, particularly their parents, who made sure that they are provided the best environment and training necessary for success on the sports front.
\n\u201cMy mother personally accompanies me to the training sessions and her support has been vital for me\u201d, Hareem said. The same is the case with Meher Maqbool, who says that her mother is very supportive and makes sure that she attends every training session and gain in confidence.
\nBoth the dashing swimmers said that their coaches worked very professionally and extra hard on them besides ensuring that their training does not coincide with their studies.
\n\u201cOur coaches drafted a fine schedule for us in a way that our studies and sports training maintained a perfect balance,\u201d said talented Hareem and Meher.
\nThey further said that they are also really grateful to the Sindh Swimming Association for its tremendous support. \u201cTheir officials encouraged us in every way and informed us about any competition two months in advance which helped us prepare well,\u201d said Hareem Malik.
\nSpeaking about the hurdles the sportswomen face in the society, the young swimmers said that though the ratio of girls\u2019 participation in sports is much low as compared to males, they are given the best opportunity by the sports authorities and concerned associations and are treated at par with their male counterparts in each aspect of the swimming competitions which is a very encouraging factor.
\n\u201cWe have not observed any discrimination against us as girls, either at the training session or in the events,\u201d said Hareem and Meher.
\nMeher, however, added that the only thing our sports authorities should focus on is to build competitive infrastructure and facilities for the athletes.
\n\u201cWe lack bigger, better equipped swimming pools and this area should be worked on and developed,\u201d she added.
\nHareem disclosed that she also competes well in rowing and won the gold medal at the National Rowing indoor championship last year.
\nOn the other hand, Meher said that she plays golf as well and last year she participated in the National Golf Championship in Islamabad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
KARACHI Though the curtain has fallen on the National Games in Quetta, the performance of our stunning athletes is going to be remembered forever. Every province had its share of medals and performances, but for Sindh, the brilliant performance of rising swimming star Hareem Malik made us proud as she won the most number of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":335188,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-335178","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n