Sudan's Olympic hero honoured

[shahul]

DUBAI - Sudan’s silver medallist Ismail Ahmed Ismail received a red carpet welcome as the Darfur-born champion arrived at Khartoum International Airport on Tuesday.

Ismail made history by giving his nation its first-ever Olympic honours when finishing second in the 800m race in-between two Kenyans.

Ismail was born into a small Muslim family in the war-torn northern region of Darfur. In contrast Lopez Lomong, who was the hlag-bearer for the US team during the opening ceremony of the Games, comes from a Christian family in the southern part of Sudan and may have never seen Darfur or learnt about it in his life. Being a Muslim with definite Arab links, Ismail said: “I would like to present this medal to the Arabs, Muslims, people of Sudan and the children of Darfur, Palestine and Iraq.“

Ismail clarified that he’s not confused at all about the nature of the conflict in Darfur. “We must never characterise it as a conflict between ‘Arab’ and African populations, a false argument that has been used by the international Media,” the Olympian said during a short stop-over at Abu Dhabi International Airport from Beijing on Monday night. 'We all share common history and values and live together since quite a long time in peace and love, and will continue to do so,” he said.

Ismail prayed for a stronger government involvement and commitment to sports saying that Sudan is a true mine of talent. “With little support and attention, we can do even better.

'I have finished in the last eight four years ago in Athens and benefited a lot from that experience. I tried to work my way through looking from gold in Beijing, but I couldn’t catch the winner,” said the 23-year-old.

“I expected my colleague Abu Baker Kaki to win the gold, but after his heartbreaking disqualification, I was determined to do something both for me and for my country,” he said.

Ironically, Sudan has only one track in deserted sports stadium in Khartoum, the capital city, and the athletes are training under extremely difficult conditions.

They get no financial support whatsoever and women are not allowed to appear on the national TV in their sport dress as it is considered to be against the rules of Islamic law.