KARACHI: Former Test fast bowler and the most qualified Pakistan coach Jalaluddin has pledged to continue working for the cause of the game until his last breath.

During his brief address at the launching ceremony of ‘2015: Jalaluddin’s Tribute Year’ here at the Karachi Gymkhana Banquet Hall on Thursday, the first-ever hat-trick scorer in One-day International history vowed to have a lifetime attachment with the sport which has earned him fame and recognition.

“I feel really touched and overwhelmed by the lavish praise of my departmental chiefs and I would not have made it where I am today without their unstinted support,” said Jalal, the founder chief coach of the Customs Cricket Academy (CCA).

“My seniors here have been very considerate and accommodating towards the cause of sports in general and cricket in particular. Now it’s my duty to reciprocate by devoting the rest of my life in serving the interests of cricket as well as our department.”

Leading Customs officials including Nazim Saleem, Chief Collector Enforcement, South, Nasir Masroor, Chief Collector Appraisement South, and Khalil Masood, ex-member Customs and former chairman, Corporate Law Authority were also present on the occassion.

“Pakistan Customs has decided to celebrate 2015 as the tribute year to Jalaluddin in recognition of his outstanding services as a player, coach and administrator. He thoroughly deserves this honour.

“In fact we are late in doing it and in fact, our department should have done it a few years ago,” Nazim reckoned.

Khalil Masood, ex-member Customs, recalled that day about three decades ago when he had appointed Jalaluddin at the Pakistan Customs on the basis of his cricketing abilities.

“That looks like ages ago when Jalaluddin was struggling to find a job. It was our good fortune that we offered him the employment which he gladly accepted. Since then he has proved a great asset for the department as well as the country,” said Khalil.

Nasir Masroor, Chief Collector Appraisement, said: “Everyone at Pakistan Customs feels proud of Jalaluddin’s accomplishments, his single-mindedness and consistency of purpose. That’s why his departmental colleagues are excited about turning his benefit year’s events into a resounding success.”

Prominent among those present on the occasion were ex-KCCA president Prof Siraj-ul-Islam Bukhari, PVCA chief Fawad Ijaz Khan, leading cricket organiser Nadeem Omar and former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu.

Jalaluddin tribute year will see his department organising four main events including a grand gala dinner, a T-20 cricket match (Pakistan Star XI vs Customs XI), launch of a book titled ‘Customs History of Cricket’ and a seminar on cricket coaching besides many other events throughout the year 2015.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2014