Karthikeyan congratulates Congfu for bearing Olympics torch

Beijing, Mar 26 (UNI) A1 Team India driver and India's fastest man, Narain Karthikeyan congratulated the A1 Team China driver, Congfu Cheng, for participating in the Olympic Torch Relay.

''It is an honour for anyone to represent their country on a global stage and this is what the A1GP is all about. With Franky (Congfu) being given the honour of carrying the Olympics torch represents both recognition, and the importance of what he is doing by racing for the pride of his nation. I wish him all the best,'' Karthikeyan said.

Cheng was a torchbearer for the Olympic Flame as it set out on its path across Greece on March 24, its final journey before the Games of the XXIX Olympiad - Beijing 2008.

''It is my great honour and a dream for all sports people to be nominated as one of the Torchbearers and to carry the flame in Greece. Hopefully my appearance in the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay will help promote motorsport in China, and encourage more Chinese people to get involved in this exciting sport.

''I will try my best to bring more honours to my country in A1GP World Cup of Motorsport. I would like to welcome all the people going to my home town for this great event,'' Cheng said.

The games will be held from August 8-24.

The journey of the flame in Greece was full of ancient symbolism.

On March 24, the flame came to life in Olympia and the High Priestess handed it over to the first of the torchbearers.

Cheng's duties started on the first day of its 1528 km journey, in the hands of 605 Torchbearers, through 16 prefectures, 43 municipalities, 12 municipality districts, and four communities while 29 ceremonies was held. It will arrive on 30 March in the Panathenian Stadium with the final Torchbearer and then on the eve of the handover to Beijing the flame will spend the night on the ancient Acropolis.

After his torch bearing duties, Franky will head to Shanghai for the penultimate round of the 2007/08 A1GP World Cup of Motorsport where he will compete for his country against 21 nations at the Shanghai International Circuit from April 11 - 13, 2008.

UNI XC CS MSJ PM1315