The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Shehan Saearuwan Abeypitiyage of Sri Lanka and Naseem Hamid of Pakistan set Bangabandhu National Stadium track afire on Monday emerging as the fastest man and woman of the 11 SA Games winning the 100 meter sprint with a timing of 10:46 and 11: 81 seconds respectively.

Both the results were regarded as upsets as Shehan toppled India's Abdul Najeeb Qureshi who won the 200 meter defeating Shehan and was regarded as the hot favorite.

On the other hand, a woman from Pakistan winning the 100 M sprint was unimaginable as it did not happen before and the Pakistani women sprinter were never in the fray of the winners in the 26 year history of the SA Games. Naseem blazed the track to create a piece of history on the track of the BNS.

Shehan shot from the starting block like tracer bullet but his rival competitor Najeeb chased him till the 50 Meter mark. Both the sprinters had a nice start but Shehan accelerated and overcame the challenge in the last 10 meters and whisked past Najeeb at the finishing line.

Najeeb clocked 10:56 seconds to grab the silver. Liaqat Ali of Pakistan timed 10: 63 to bag the bronze. Masdul Karim of Bangladesh finished seventh.

Naseem's sparkling feat was never anticipated by anyone. Her lone appearance in the track was in the 4X100 meter relay when Pakistan won the bronze. Her coach prevented her from taking part in the long jump and it worked. The non- commissioned service holder of Pakistan army did a wonder and created a slice of history.

She outran Pramila Priyadashini of Sri Lanka who clocked 11.93 seconds for the silver and Achala Shalika Dias who timed 12:12 seconds for the bronze. Shamsunnahar Chumki of Bangladesh was fifth with timing of 12:16 seconds.

Naseem Hameed talking to press said, " I don't have the words to express my feelings, I actually cant believe that I am the fastest woman of the subcontinent, I have been working hard for the success but it was a distant dream, I have been going through

the athletics from my school days, my schools name is Millat School, in Karachi, it was a wonderful feeling that gives me great motivation to look forward, for the first time in the

history a girl from Pakistan have won the title of the women's 100 meter in the SA Games I think this will continue to inspire the upcoming female athletes of the country to come forward. I want to continue to enjoy the success and contribute in the upper level.

Sri Lankan athletes Shehan Saearuwan Abeypitiyage said, " I have worked hard to achieve the feat, the moment is unforgettable, I saw myself ahead of others at the 50 meter and I started to say that if not this time then it would be never I felt the thrust within myself and accelerated the speed, I knew I did it when I crossed the finishing line. I am a devoted admirer of the Usain Bolt and I follow his style and steps.

The title has inserted more confidence in my heart to go forward and bring laurels for the country. My next target is the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games, I don't know where I will stop but being the fastest man of the subcontinent motivates me to repeat the feat again and again.