LAHORE - Haider Ali, member of Pakistan wrestling team won gold medal in 65kg weight category in the 1st Asian Beach Games at Bali, Indonesia on Friday. He beat Indonesian player in the final. Another wrestler of Pakistan, Usman Majid in 85 Kg obtained bronze medal by beating Philpines wrestlers. President Pakistan Olympic Association Lt Gen (retd) Arif Hasan has congratulated Pakistan contingent on their success. Muhammad Ashraf Khan, chef-de-mission and Syed Amir Hamzr Gilani, Director General, Pakistan Sports Board also witnessed the wrestling competitions and conveyed their congratulations both the players. The 41-member Pakistan contingent is participating in these games being held from October 18-26 at Bali, Indonesia. Pakistan contingent is taking part in bodybuilding, kabaddi, wrestling, handball, sailing and volleyball. OCA chief promises financial help to POA Meanwhile an agency quoted Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah as saying his organisation will provide adequate financial assistance to Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) under its "Project Olympic Asia" program for creation of sports infrastructure. "We have launched the program for under-developed countries of Asia for the creation of sports infrastructure and Pakistan will also be provided financial assistance of US $ 100,000 to 200,000." He said earlier OCA was funding 20 such projects a year and has decided now to extend the span of its activities to 40 projects to help under-privileged countries with improved facilities to promote sports. "Pakistan is making good progress in sports under the leadership of Lt Gen (r) Arif Hasan and we will support sports bodies in their endeavours like we have done in the past," he said. Appreciating Pakistan's achievements in the field of cricket, hockey, squash and snooker, the OCA chief said Pakistan is rich in sports talent, and efforts to spot talent at early stages should be continued to ensure a better future in sports. Unveiling OCA plans to promote sports in Asia, he said an OCA Sports Academy will be launched next year in March at Kuwait, and players will be inducted in this institution to learn different respective sports, besides being educated and polished to become better human beings, he added.He said in recent years Asia has gained a reputation as the 'home of sports' because a number of elite sports events have been organised here, like the Asian Games, Indoor and now the Beach Games besides regional games. "All these activities strengthen our collective goal to make Asia the best in the world in sports," he added. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah said presence of International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge during the Bali Asian Beach Games was a big encouragement for OCA, and recognition of Asia's contribution in the overall development of sports, as the Asian continent represents world's majority of population. "The IOC chief praised our vision to organise beach and indoor Asian Games and was of the view that other continents in the world will follow this new concept," he said He said the IOC chief especially lauded the inclusion of new disciplines which reflect OCA efforts to create opportunities for athletes who cannot compete at the Olympics levels, and holding of Indoor and Beach Asian Games will help Asian countries prove their organisational skills for staging high profile sports events.