LAHORE Battling against the fatal disease of cancer, Pakistan's record breaking triple gold medallist in badminton in the 1993 Islamic Games, Zarina Waqar, is patiently waiting for moral and financial support from the government, especially from the Federal Sports Ministry and the Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF). Zarina, winner of several gold medals both at international and national level during the nineties was operated upon at Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital last month but now she has to undergo costly treatment to cure herself completely of the disease for at least a year.
However, unfortunately, she has not even received a message of sympathy from neither the Federal Sports Ministry, the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), nor from the Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) which could at least raise her morale to continue her struggle.
Zarina, after retiring from the game way back in 1997, did her Masters in Physical Education and got a job in the Punjab Sports Board as coach in Lahore Division.
She hoisted the national flag in Iran in the 1993-Islamic Solidarity Games with a record-breaking performance of three gold medals, one each in singles, doubles and team events. She also took two gold medals in the 1997 edition of the Islamic Games, also held in Iran, taking gold medals in the doubles and team event, while losing the singles.
She topped the national ranking from 1990 to 1997 and was also declared as 'Star Girl' in the 1995 national championship.
After being ignored by the sports bodies Zarina has appeal to the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, to include her in his programme of aiding and helping former national heroes.
