The National Women’s Bridge Trials concluded in Lahore last week with Outsiders outplaying the favourite team, No Trumps.

Outsiders consisted of two pairs from Karachi: Qudsia Dossa and Roshan Bokhari, and Paro Raza and Rehana Saigol. Their third pair was Shehnaz Peerzada of Lahore and Shamim Akhter of Islamabad.

Rehana Saigol, a jeweller, designer, actor and international Bridge player, has another achievement to add to her list, which is being the first woman in the world to be elected to head a national Bridge organisation, when she was elected president of the Pakistan Bridge Federation.

She continues to serve on the Women’s Committee of the World Bridge Federation.

Of her teammates, she says Qudsia and Roshan are the senior-most and most experienced pair having represented Pakistan countless times in the Zonal and World Championships.

Rehana herself has represented Pakistan at numerous championships, starting with the Bridge Olympiad in Venice in 1986, and later in Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Egypt, Bangladesh, South Africa, Jordan, Bahrain and India. She has participated twice in the Venice Cup in Monte Carlo and Estoril, Portugal.

She says her experience of being non-playing captain of Pakistan men’s team at Commonwealth Games in Manchester was thrilling.

Rehana credits her first Bridge partnership of 20 years with Samia Rashid with ingraining in her the vital ingredients of a successful partnership: mutual respect and trust. She holds her current partner Paro Raza responsible for bringing her back to competitive Bridge.

What prompted the comeback? She says: “Quite simply, I love Paro for her zest and enthusiasm, not to mention her optimism. That’s how we pulled off this amazing win.”

The national team is headed to the BFAME Zone 4 Championships in Dubai from April 2 to 11.

Last week, Lahore remained the talking point in various parts of the world due to cricket. After the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to host the final of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) in the city on March 5, a debate started over the possibility of it happening.

Though the public welcomed the decision, foreign players participating in the PSL did not give a positive response due to security concerns.

Two developments demoralised the PCB for hosting the final in Lahore. First, cricketers Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, playing for Islamabad United in the PSL, were sent back home by the PCB alleging they were involved in spot-fixing. Since then both players have been appearing before the board’s anti-corruption unit for investigation, which is still under way.

Then a suicide attack on The Mall on Feb 13 cast doubts over whether Lahore could host the PSL final despite the fact that the PCB and army were determined to go ahead. But all depends on the foreign players, who are reluctant to visit Lahore. The situation will be cleared on Feb 22 when the PSL will conduct another players’ draft ceremony in which the foreigner cricketers will be given another chance to show their availability for the Lahore final.

The Pakistan Tennis Federation surprised tennis lovers by hosting its Grade One tournament in Gujrat district, little known among the tennis family. All top seeded players of the country participated in the tournament, which carried a cash prize of Rs500,000. It was called 1st Gujrat Gymkhana Open National Tournament and was organised at the Gujrat Gymkhana.

Liaquat Ali Chattha, deputy commissioner of Sargodha, who is founder of the gymkhana, was invited to inaugurate the tournament. Aqeel Khan, Shahzad Khan, Yasir Khan and many top players were taking part in it.

There is need to hold more of such tournaments at national level in all sports categories in smaller districts to promote sports culture across the country.

Yukiko Ban, a Japanese student of political science at the Government College University, told the media recently: “Pakistan is an amazing country; media doesn’t define it all.”

She was talking to the media on the second day of the university’s 117th Annual Sports Day on Friday.

“I have participated in long jump, shot put, 400-metre race and many other athletic events, and loving it all. GCU is my home away from my home,” said Ban, who has also learnt Urdu during her stay in Pakistan.

She also said, “Pakistan is as beautiful as its people are: very loving, caring, peaceful and friendly.”

Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Hassan Amir Shah also appreciated the participation of foreign students and faculty members in the annual sports event. Above all, this year saw a large number of physically challenged students participating in the event, he added.

Shahzad Farooq, a visually impaired student from Urdu department, won the White Cane Race. Waseem Akram, Alam Sadam, Muhammad Ramzan and Gohar Ali clinched gold medals in 500 Metre Race, Javelin Throw, 800 Metres and 100 Metres races.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2017