Larkana wins Sindh Judo Championship 2017

Pakistan News & Features Services

Larkana emerged triumphant in the second edition of the Sindh Inter-District Judo Championship 2017 which concluded at the Dewa Complex in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi.

Sanghar ended as the runners-up and Mirpurkhus stood third in the two-day event which was organized by the Sindh Judo Association (SJA) with the collaboration of the Sindh Sports Board (SSB) and sponsored by Kohinoor Soap and Detergent (Pvt) Limited. 

A total of 24 players from six districts participated in the championship which was won by Larkana, who accumulated 36 points as they secured two gold medals and one bronze medal. 

There was tough fight for the top slot between Larkana and Sanghar districts with a solitary point separating the two outfits. Sanghar had to be content with the second position with a tally of 35 points as they claimed a gold medal besides two silver medals. 

Mirpurkhas earned 15 points by winning three bronze medals to take the third position while Hyderabad was relegated to the fourth slot with an aggregate on 10 points. Sukkur and Nawabshah jointly shared the fifth position in the table by winning a bronze medal each.

Contests were held in the three weight categories of 50 kg, 56 kg and open weight. The 24 participants were initially engaged in preliminary round fights. 

In the finals, fierce bouts took place between the judokas of Larkana and Sanghar while defending champions Sukkur were unable to reproduce the form they had displayed in the inaugural championship. 

Mohammad Ali performed the duties of chief referee while the panel of referees also contained Mohammad Ammad, Dilawar Khan Mannan, Shahid Ansari, Ijaz Ali Buledi, Rao Wajid, Fatima Irfan and Hina Subhan. 

Syed Wasim Hashmi, President, SJA, in his welcome address during the presentation ceremony, spoke about the recent initiatives undertaken by the provincial body in the further development of judo. 

Ahmed Ali Rajput, Secretary General, SOA, was prominent among those having attended the prize distribution ceremony.

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Sindh CM announces Rs100 million for hockey promotion

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) received a big financial boost as the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, announced a grant of Rs 100 million for promotion and uplift of sport in the country and in the interior of Sindh.

“It’s a great gesture by Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah which was another proof of him being a sports-loving person. He has keen interest in the revival for the past glories of national hockey. He is fully aware of the rich history of Pakistan hockey and the accomplishments in Olympics, World Cups and other major events,” the PHF Secretary, Olympian Shahbaz Ahmed, disclosed after meeting the Chief Minister. 

“Ours was the most fruitful and beneficial meeting with the CM which was really big boost for hockey. He has promised his all out support and assistance in the promotion of the game in the province. He showed particular interest in promotion and development of hockey in the interior of Sindh,” the former Pakistan captain revealed. 

The announcement was made by Murad Ali Shah when three-member delegation led by the PHF President Brig (Retd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar alongwith Shahbaz Ahmed and Tariq Hudda called on him at the CM House in Karachi.

Shahbaz Ahmed, who had successfully captained Pakistan to the World Cup triumph in 1994 at Sydney, informed the CM about the plans the PHF was working on the development, promotion and revival of national sport. 

Keeping in view the interest and support of Murad Ali Shah, the PHF Secretary said that they will be allocating National Seniors Hockey Championship as well as the National Schools Under-16 Hockey Championship to the Sindh Hockey Association. 

Shahbaz Ahmed, one of the greatest exponents of the game produced by Pakistan, expressed the confidence that holding the nationals and National School hockey will attract youngsters towards the game.

He said that the National School U-16 Hockey event will be held in newly laid turf at Bakht Ali Dahota Khairpur from November 15 under the auspices of the SHA in which 16 teams including four from Punjab, three from Sindh, two each from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Balochistan and one each from Federal Territory Islamabad, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan will be taking part. 

Shahbaz Ahmed stated that history of sorts will be made when Sukkur will stage National Seniors Championship there from December 10 to 25 in which about 25 teams representing provinces and departmental teams would be in action for the crown. 

Shahbaz Ahmed emphasized that they were also focusing on the working and performance of the affiliated units of PHF particularly, the associations and they will be allocating the national events as per the performances and their organizational abilities.

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Sahibzada Sultan, Nadir Magsi in photo-finish at Gwadar Rally

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Sahibzada Sultan Mohammad Ali demonstrated vintage skills and speed to retain his ‘Prepared Class; title in Gwadar Off-Road Rally held as part of the Pakistan Motor Rally. 

The 33-year-old Jhang-based Sultan, a household name in motor racing in Pakistan, clocked 1 hr 14 min and 20 seconds on a 125-KM Track to emerge on the top in 84 racing drivers contest. Led by over 30-member workers team and driving 4500 CC Toyota Tacomo, 

Sahibzada Sultan displayed courage and masterly control over his vehicle and reasserted his supremacy on the national racing circuit. Nadir Magsi, Pakistan’s uncrowned king of motor racing settled for the second position with 1 hr 14 min 46 seconds while another leading driver Ronnie Patel of Toyota High Motors Karachi came third with 1 hr 16 min 12 seconds. 

The Chief of the Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who was the chief guest, distributed prizes at a glittering closing ceremony. The Balochistan Chief Minister, Sanaullah Zehri, was also present on the occasion. 

The Gwadar Rally was part of Pakistan Motor Rally conducted by Pakistan Army which had started from Pakistan-China border at Khunjerab and concluded in the country’s emerging port city of Gwadar after crossing through various cities including Karachi. 

“I felt some problems with my suspension when I hit a dune. But I kept a good speed on straight run. It was closest competition ever in my career,” Sahibzada Sultan told reporters after winning the race. 

The veteran Racing Driver Nadir Magsi declared it as one of the most exciting races as two minutes separated three top position holders which had never happened in the circuit before. 

“It was really thrilling and exciting finish despite having high blood pressure to me,” Nadir Magsi maintained. 

Toyota Highway Motors team in fact performed creditably in the Gwadar Rally as besides Ronnie Patel third spot in Prepared Class, his wife Tushna Patel won the ladies title while Talha Mansoor finished third in Stock “A” category. Tushna driving 4000 CC Vigo Highlux covered the distance in 1 hr 46 min 6 seconds while Momal Khan was second was second with 2 hr 11min 8 seconds. 

Following are results of different categories: 

Prepare Class: 1. Sahibzada Sultan Muhammad Ali 2. Nadir Magsi 3. Ronnie Patel 

Category B: 1. Zain Mehmood 2. Amir Magsi 3. Jam Kamal 

Category C: 1. Zaheer A Shah 2. Zafar Magsi 3. Gohar Sangi 

Category D: 1. Shaheen Iqbal 2. Aminullah 3. Zafar Baloch 

Stock Class: Category A: 1. Babar Khan 2. Tariq Magsi 3. Mansoor Haleem 

Category B: 1. Mir Hayat Sadiq Zai 2. Malik Manzoor 3. M Younus 

Category C: 1. Amir A Shah 2. Sardar Leghari 3. Nawaz Ali Sabir 

Category D: 1. Sohail Abbas Khurd 2. Mir Liquat Sherwani 3. Kaleem Khan

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Ronnie, Tusha to represent THM Sherwanis in Gwadar Rally

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The country’s top two racing drivers and the husband-wife pair of Ronnie Patel and Tusha Patel with two other teams will be representing Toyota High Motors (THM) Sherwanis in the Pakistan Motor Rally and the Gwadar Rally. 

Karachi’s Ronnie Patel, a veteran acclaimed racing driver of Pakistan, having won many titles in Cholistan, Jhal Magsi, Hub, Nooriabad, Gawadar Rallies is among top ranked drivers for the crown. 

The brilliant Ronnie will be driving Highlux Vigo and would be featuring in top Prepared Class category with navigator Ali Aden. 

“This is major event and I am looking forward to assert my supremacy in this rally,” he told reporters prior to team’s departure to Gwadar.

“Our aim and objective is promoting motor racing and patronize Pakistan best drivers,” Shujaat Sherwani, Chief Executive of THM said while announcing the names of their teams. 

“Our mission is always been to be part of all the top races of Pakistan,” he remarked. “Our teams have done in the past and we are looking forward to maintain our ascendancy in Gawadar Rally,” he commented. 

THM Sherwanis staged a major Max Dirt Rally in Hub in which Pakistan’s top racing took part. Mansoor Alim with Talha Kanwar will take part in Stock A Category in his 4,000 cc Toyota Vigo and Tushna Patel with be taking part with his navigator. 

The Gwadar Rally is part of Pakistan Rally which started from Pak-China border in Khunjerab few days ago.

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Mahmood Lodhi becomes Pakistan’s first chess GM

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Mahmood Lodhi, acclaimed as the greatest exponent of chess in the country, duly achieved the distinction of becoming the first-ever Grand Master as he won the 8th Asian Seniors Chess Championship in Auckland, New Zealand, recently.

“Achieving the GM title was my long team dream and I could not sleep for two nights after this accomplishment for Pakistan’” he told media at the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport, Karachi, on his return from New Zealand. 

Due to a combination of factors, the newly crowned Grand Master didn’t get a befitting reception at the airport as not a single representative of the Chess Federation of Pakistan (CFP), the Sindh Chess Association (SCA) and the Karachi Chess Association (KCA) was there to welcome him. 

His buddy and International Master, Shahzad Mirza, greeted him alongwith an official of the Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP). 

“A couple of well-wishers and chess lovers provided me loan for a trip to New Zealand,” the 55-year-old Lodhi, hailing from Gujranwala, stated. 

“My appeal to the sports authorities of Pakistan to get me my PIA job restored which was terminated over 10 years ago without reasoning,” a record 15-time National Champion, jobless said. 

He called for support and better treatment to other sports persons for bringing honor and glory to the country. 

“If I get proper support from the government, I can bring the world title to Pakistan,” he commented. 

He expressed the hope that securing GM title change his struggling life and he will get support for featuring in GM international events. 

“GM in other countries gets great support and respect. But I am waiting for it to be happening in Pakistan,” he said. 

Besides dominating for Pakistan chess scene for over three decades, Mahmood Lodhi had represented Pakistan in over a dozen World Chess Olympiads.

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PHF initiatives for hockey revival hailed

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Former International Hockey player, Mubashir Mukhtar, has appreciated the efforts of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for revival of international hockey in Pakistan. 

In this regard he referred to organizing of Nishan-e-Haider Hockey tournament and arrival of the Hall of Fame World Eleven in Pakistan besides holding of Pakistan Super Hockey League next year will lead to complete revival of international matches in the country. 

Talking to PNFS, Mubashir, who is now serving as Director Sports in a private engineering university, was confident that the decisions and steps being taken by the PHF President, Brig (Rtd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar, and the Secretary General, Olympian Shahbaz Ahmed, will enable Pakistan to regain its lost stature in the world of hockey. 

He observed that the successful talks held with the officials of PHF's Executive Committee in Dubai, have started yielding positive results and Nishan-e-Haider Hockey Tournament, in which eleven international goalkeepers will be participating, is the first step towards revival of international hockey in Pakistan. 

He said that it will be the first occasion when international hockey players will be participating in a country's domestic event. Similarly he expressed delight with the upcoming planned arrival of World Eleven in November this year will bring activity in the hitherto deserted grounds of Pakistan with the national team playing a three-match series with the World Eleven in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi. 

Thereafter in the next year holding of Pakistan Super Hockey League will not only help explore the new talent but also contribute to complete revival of international hockey in the country.

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AKU wins PMA Defence Day sports gala

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A number of events were organized in connection with the Defence Day of Pakistan across the country with the highlight of the day being the function held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi to pay tribute to the martyrs. 

The Pakistan Marine Academy (PMA) organized the Defence Day Sports Gala at the Women Sports Complex, Gulshan-e-Iqbal in Karachi. 

As many as 14 educational institutions from all over the metropolis took part in five disciplines which included table tennis, badminton, volleyball, basketball and squash. 

Aga Khan University (AKU) emerged as the overall champions of the gala as its athletes came up with impressive all-round performance to run away with the trophy.

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), having enjoyed success in quite a few sporting contests in the recent past, took part in the men’s events of table tennis, badminton, volleyball and basketball. 

The SSUET claimed the runners-up spot in volleyball, bagged third position in table tennis and ended as losing semifinalists in badminton. 

The Deputy Mayor of Karachi, Arshad Vohra, distributed the prizes alongwith the Commandant PMA, Commodore Akbar Naqi, while the SSUET Registrar, Syed Sarfraz Ali, and the SSUET Additional Registrar, Mohammad Aamir, were also present in the ceremony.

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SSUET excels in Independence Day Swimming contest

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) excelled in the Independence Day Open Swimming Championship staged at the Defence Authority Creek Club to celebrate the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan. 

The SSUET took three medals in the event which was jointly organized by the Defence Authority Creek Club and the Pakistan Marine Academy. Mohammad Ahmed claimed silver medal in 50m freestyle and bronze medal in 50m butterfly while Hyder earned bronze in 100m breaststroke. 

The Convener of the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), Engr Syed Anwer Ali, who is also the Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), honoured the members of the SSUET swimming team and congratulated them on their worthy efforts in the open championship contested by 14 institutes from all over the province.

The Sindh Sports Minister, Sardar Mohammad Baksh Khan Maher, was the chief guest in the prize distribution ceremony which was also attended by Secretary of the Defence Authority Creek Club, Brig Sajid Iqbal Jadoon, and Commodore Akbar Naqi, Commandant, Pakistan Marine Academy. 

The Independence Day Open Swimming Championship was recognized as a success story by the participants and the hosts were appreciated for having conducted the event nicely. 

In fact the Sindh Sports Minister was so much impressed with the facilities at the venue and he considered it to be an ideal host for future swimming competitions. 

Cake cutting also took place and it was followed by a flag retrieving ceremony, conducted with traditional fervor and enthusiasm.

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