First Afghan medalist returns to hero's welcome

KABUL, Aug 28 (Reuters) - Thousands of jubilant Afghans packed the national stadium to give the nation's first Olympic medal winner Rohullah Nikpai a hero's welcome on Thursday.

Nikpai, who won a taekwondo bronze medal, was met by Vice-President Karim Khalili at Kabul airport in the morning as Afghan helicopters circled over the city dropping leaflets with his picture.

"He has made the Afghan people proud," read the leaflet.

Nikpai delighted strife-weary Afghans with his achievement in Beijing last week by upsetting Spanish world flyweight champion Juan Antonio Ramos in the men's 58-kg category.

"I hope this medal can be a message of peace in Afghanistan," the 21-year-old said after his win.

Nikpai was driven in an open-topped truck from the airport to the national stadium where a crowd of 5,000 cheering fans greeted him as traditional Afghan music blaring.

State televison broadcast the event live as Nikpai was paraded around the stadium, where the Taliban once carried out public executions.

Many Afghans were unable to watch the bout live due to intermittent power supply with few homes having access to cable television, but a recording of Nikpai's victory was later played over and over on local stations.

President Hamid Karzai rang up Nikpai to congratulate him and has ordered a house to be presented to him as reward.