Off Track ..... Afghans rejoice over first medal win

KABUL: The winner of Afghanistan's first Olympic medal is to be given a house as a reward on the orders of President Hamid Karzai, a palace official said on Thursday. Rohullah Nikpai thrilled Afghans with his bronze medal in the men's 58kg taekwondo.

"It's a time of big celebrations for all of us," said shopkeeper Khair Mohammad. "I'm so happy that despite the war, lack of sports facilities and training Nikpai managed to secure a medal." Many Afghans were unable to watch Wednesday's bout live because power is intermittent and only some households have access to cable television.

But a recording of Nikpai's victory over world flyweight champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain was later played over and over on local stations.