TORONTO, 6 April — Bahadur Madhani, a prominent Canadian Muslim, who played an important leadership role in the Toronto Bid Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games, has been named for the country’s highest award — the Order of Canada. Governor General of Canada will present him the prestigious award at a special ceremony in Ottawa.
A champion with a passion for the games, Madhani, 55, has upheld the Olympic ideals — stronger, higher and farther — even in his humanitarian voluntary community services. He humbly attributes his success to dedication and sincerity.
“Whenever I’m given any task in any sector, I dedicate myself to the mission and mandate of the organization that I have been involved in,” he said in an interview with Arab News.
Elaborating he said: “Once I come to believe in the mission and purpose that the organization is intending to achieve, I dedicate myself 100 percent to the achievement of those mandates and missions.
“And the second aspect I would say is sincerity of purpose. I have always tried to apply myself diligently and very sincerely with no thought of recompense. The reward is in the doing. I believe that a combination of these two factors, has endeared me to leadership roles that I have been given in Canada.”
Answering a question about Toronto’s chances of hosting the 2008 Games he said: “Each and every member of the Olympic Bid Committee has worked hard and I’m confident that our most beautiful city will win the right to stage the Summer Olympics.” The International Olympic Committee (IOC) will decide in July this year on the eventual winner. A high-powered IOC team recently visited Toronto to inspect the facilities the city is intending to offer for the 2008 Games. “I think the city possesses all the needed capabilities and facilities for hosting successful Games here,” said Madhani, chairman of the Outreach Committee for Toronto Olympic Games. “And also from the point of view of safety, security, environment and political stability, Toronto is the best of the rest,” he said.
Asked how Muslims would benefit from the Games if held here, Madhani stated that 300,000 Muslims are living in Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and their friends and families will be able to visit the city and witness the wonderful environment that Canada and Toronto provide. “The visitors will also be able to network and build trade relations as many Muslim countries manufacture and produce lots of goods and commodities that could be exported here.”
Madhani of South Asian origin had also the honor of winning Canada’s Humanitarian of the Year award two years ago. As chairman of the United Way of Greater Toronto in 1996, he raised Canadian $170 million for many agencies and organizations working here for the humanitarian cause. In 1978 he served the Aga Khan University in Karachi as one of the administrative staff members. Born in Tanzania, East Africa, Bahadur, the ‘brave’, acquired his education in England before immigrating to Canada 18 years ago.
