ISLAMABAD: The Serena Hotels hosted a fundraising gala dinner in collaboration with the Embassy of France, the proceeds for which will go towards supporting sports training for young women who play squash and ski via the facilities of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

This will provide women athletes access to world class training and national and international platforms to compete on.

The event featured a performance by renowned French artists Sherazade et L’Avion Rose.

The evening was dedicated to women in sports and in keeping with the theme, Serena Hotels invited four talented young athletes to the event, each a star in her own field.

Asmara Kiani, a professional footballer, is the captain of a tournament winning team and a permanent member of the Pakistan National Women Football Team. Fatima Sohail is a skier who has represented Pakistan in regional championships and has now been selected to represent the country in the Olympics.

Mahnum Ejaz is Pakistan’s first Polo female player and Noreena Shams is a senior squash player with numerous awards and victories to her credit.

Speaking at the event, CEO of the Serena Hotels, Aziz Boolani said the hotel chain has always supported athletes of all ages.

“We believe that the time has come that we encourage and train talented women who have the potential to become champions in various sports nationally and internationally,” he said.

He said the Pakistan Air Force was approached for providing training to women athletes and that a sum of Rs3.8 million which was raised from the event will be donated for the training of young women in sports.

French Ambassador Martine Dorrance said the evening was hosted for three reasons.

“We have come together to celebrate and enjoy a French performance. We are also here to contribute and encourage education and sports for women. If education is one of the key components of development, sport should also occupy a central place in our societies. The third reason is to share the delightful dinner served to us,” he said.

Air Vice Marshal Asad Lodhi then received the cheque from Ambassador Dorrance and Mr Boolani and said: “While the PAF proudly carries out its professional commitments throughout the year, we also engage in nation building and sports and education is an important way to build capacity and train our athletes to have an international presence. Sports is a powerful tool for driving change in societies.”

The French troupe entertained the guests with their enchanting performance. Russian-Algerian singer Sherazade and her accompanying musicians are renowned for the superb blend of world music and pop.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2016