Pakistani girl to be torch-bearer at London Olympics
Zainab Imran addresses a press conference in Karachi. – Photo by AFP
KARACHI, June 22: When young Zainab Imran puts on her running shoes on June 28, she will be doing it for her country and her people. The 16-year-old Karachi girl, a student of Nasra Trust School, Malir, will be carrying the Olympic torch as it makes its way to London.
Zainab, who has only recently done her Matric, is one of 21 people selected as torch-bearers from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Bangladesh, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Palau, South Africa, Tanzania, Turkey, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda and Zambia through the International Inspiration programme.
The programme looks to use the power of sport to enrich the lives of tens of millions of children, young people and grown-ups, too, of all abilities in schools and communities across the world, particularly in developing countries, by offering them the opportunity to access and participate in high-quality and inclusive sport, physical education and play.
“There are young as well as older people [who have been] selected as torch-bearers through the programme and I’m the only one from Pakistan,” teenaged Zainab, who will be flying off to Nottingham on Sunday, excitedly told Dawn. “The oldest person selected as torch-bearer through the programme is a 53-year-old,” she added.
Each International Inspiration torch-bearer was selected either for their dedication and commitment to inspire children and young people in their communities through the power of sport or for the personal challenges they have overcome in their lives.
Zainab, who was nominated by the Nasra Trust School after she demonstrated strong leadership qualities, is also a member of the Young Leader of International Inspiration Club. She has taken Young Sport Leadership training and is also very active to cascade this training in her local community.
The spirited all-rounder enjoys playing netball for her school team. She has also done volunteer work as coordinator for the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), she said. “Then I regularly take part in Dawn’s Spelling Bee competitions, although I’ve yet to win it,” she chuckled. “But I got a position in the Pak-Turk Math Olympiad. I was 20th,” she said with pride.
About her selection, the young leader informed that she had to go through an entire process. “My school, as you may know, is one of British Council’s partner schools also taking part in the International Inspiration programme. So we, the students of Nasra Trust School, were given questionnaires to fill out. From there I was shortlisted for interviews, and I guess my interview must have gone pretty well because I got selected,” she remarked. The school partnerships are managed by the British Council, which has extensive experience of linking schools internationally, working in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust, which utilises its expertise in developing teachers and young leaders through sport.
Asked if she has trained well for the Olympic relay, Zainab laughed, saying: “Well, I think so. Although I am not as yet sure what distance and exact route I’ll be taking. That will be disclosed to me after I reach Nottingham.”
But what she is sure of is that she will be running in an area in Nottingham, which has a big Pakistani community, who will be cheering her all the way. She would be needing that, too, as she is travelling alone to the UK, and that, also, for the very first time.
really Great, beta.all our Pakistani community in UK and all over the world proud to u and proud to be a Pakistani, this is the real face of pakistani and you have proved that Pakistani are No. 1 in all over the world except our corrupt leader, who has ruined our country
You did really a good job which has raised our head.
GOD Bless you, your family and all Pakistani Nation,
Zaiab ,It is very encouraging that a young girl of Pakistan will carry the light-the light of hope from a country blanketed with disappointments of all sorts.I wish you best of luck.
WELL DONE ZAINUB.I AM PROUD THAT YOU R MY STUDENT
KEEP IT UP PAKISTAN IN THE WORLD
Great opportunity coming your way zainab. Celebrate and cherish it. Tell others that when we interact with international community doors start opening. The link of your school with British Council made it happen so my countrymen and women start making a link.
GO on Zainab, Make us proud, the nation is with you. YOU ARE PAKISTAN!!!
Well done young lady, make us proud.
God Bless you…Allah bless you with success my sis !!!
So nice to see a Pakistani name with respect otherwise these politicians have degraded our nation.U go girl!
Congratulations Young One. Lead by heart. Inspiration, goodwill and hard work.
Good luck Zainab, MAy Allah grant your more successes in life.
i proud you baby
Its another face of real Pakistan, i am sure if government wants to hunt talents in this country there is no dearth of it. It can be discovered throughout the country.
Thats nice, these are the real pakistanis, proud of you.
I have been here for over 4 years this is the first news, where I see happy faces as replies….thank you! We can be united….we just must try very hard!!!! Its nice to see Pakistani's supporting peace for once!
Congratulations Zainab.
great zainab GO AHEAD….WE ARE PROUD TO BE PAKISTANI
Go, girl. I hope you have a fabulous run.
Really well for Her and Pakistan . Hope she ll inspire other Pakistani’s to encourage their daughter/ Sister to compete in different fields.
We need more people like Zainab. Godd job!
Good on you .
well done .people like you are proud for Pakistan
Zainab Imran is Pakistan. We need to work hark and put our best effort to find such treasures around us. Each kid in any family in Pakistan is potentially a Zainab, Irfa, and alike so, please spend time with kids and help them to understands how to make a difference and set examples.
Pakistan has a future if we make it.
Great, Well done, Girl!!!!!!!!
We are proud of you – Keep the Pakistan Flag high. God Bless.