KARACHI: The date for submission of 12 nominations — three apiece in under-19 boys and girls and Open category for men and women — of Karachi-domiciled players for the Commissioner Karachi Player of the Year awards (2013) has been extended till April 25 after the discipline of cricket was also included at the behest of former Test cricketer and a member of the awards committee Iqbal Qasim which was also endorsed by other members.

Besides, it was unanimously agreed to pick six more outstanding players on merit for special awards.

The decisions were taken in the second meeting for the Commissioner Karachi Player of the Year awards, held at the Commissioner’s office on Monday with its chairman Nasir Mehmood in the chair. Local Government director Rubina Asif and Prof Ejaz Faruqi, both members of the committee, were among others who attended the meeting.

Iqbal Qasim, who missed the previous meeting that was held on March 20 due to the demise of his elder brother, suggested that keeping in view the importance of the awards, budding cricketers should not be deprived and given a chance alongside Olympic and regional sports.

Cricket is not part of Olympics but has a large following, he said and added that it’s inclusion in the disciplines will motivate the up and coming players. He also suggested to enhance the number of award winners.

Endorsing the point of view of the former Test spinner, the chairman of the committee after getting the nod from other members, said the youth of the city playing any sport from cricket to malakhara need appreciation to shine at the top level.

He informed that some 30 to 35 nominations have already been received and after deliberations, the committee has decided to extend the date for submission of names by giving chance to cricketers as well as players of other games.Domestic performance of Karachi-based players will be taken into account while picking the Player of the Year, he added.

The chairman said the next meeting of the committee will be held on April 29 to evaluate the performance of nominees while the awards will be given at a reception by the end of next month.

Prof Faruqi and Iqbal Qasim took the lead by announcing seed money for the awards that, according to committee, is a beginning aimed at reviving glorious past of city sports.

Commissioner Shoaib Ahmad Siddiqui, who joined the meeting later, discussed ways and means besides offering his services to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for holding ‘free and fair’ elections of Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA). “The seven zones of the KCCA are eagerly awaiting to get an elected head since long as the game suffers at the domestic level,” said Commissioner while showing his concern over the delay in holding of polls.

He sounded optimistic while referring to revival of sports in riot-hit Lyari, where he said normalcy was returning at a brisk pace.

Earlier, the commissioner together with members of the awards committee, offered fateha for the departed soul of veteran football oganiser Ghulam Abbas Baloch who passed away recently. Paying glowing tribute to the deceased, he said the late Abbas Baloch always promoted soft image of Lyari.