I am a lucky mascot for India: E Ahmed

Doha, Dec 14 (UNI) Sania Mirza could have won the Gold in the women's individual catergory as well had Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed not arrived late at the venue, or so feels the minister.

Describing himself as a lucky mascot for the country, Mr Ahmed today said he was happy that he was a witness to India's Gold medal winning feat in the doubles and mixed doubles categories of the tennis competition late last evening.

The Minister, who is here to represent Indian government at the closing ceremony scheduled for tomorrow, said, ''Paes-Mahesh and later Paes and Sania Mirza could clinch two Gold medals only after I reached the tennis venue yesterday.'' ''Sania lost the women's singles before I had reached there. I told everybody that now that I have come, India will win the Gold in the two other events. It turned out to be true, so I think I have brought luck,'' the minister told told reporters in a lighter vein.

The Indian duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi staged a remarkable come-from-behind victory against the Thailand pair to bag the Gold in the men's doubles. Paes then teamed up with Sania to win the mixed doubles title against the Japanese pair.

The minister, interacting with a group of Indian journalists at the Main Media Centre, said it was an honour that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh send him to represent the country at the closing ceremony.

When a reporter pointed out that he should be send to the Games more often to help India win more medals, he jokingly answered: ''This time I am lucky, who knows I may not be lucky next time.'' The minister was of the view that India should now start preparing the athletes for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi.

''We have to find the athletes who can win medals. The Games should give an opportunity to the budding sportsmen in our country.

They should be given more training,'' he added.

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