KARACHI: Karachi Whites and Karachi Blues, who played the final of the PCB Inter-region Under-19 One-day Championship some days ago, were honoured for their excellent performance by the Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA) here on Tuesday night.

Cash awards of Rs250,000 each were given to both out outfits on behalf of the KCCA by leader of opposition in the Sindh Assembly, Khawaja Izharul Hasan who was the chief guest at the reception.

Speaking on the occasion, Izharul raised the two KCCA U-19 cricket teams while saying they deserved to be commended at the highest platform, including on the floor of the provincial assembly.

Izharul further remarked that sportsmen are ambassadors of peace and goodwill and promote national cohesion. Appreciating the KCCA president Prof Ejaz Ahmed Faruqi, he said Faruqi has not only served education but cricket with distinction. He said the KCCA under-13, under-16 and under-19 teams have progressed well and deserve encouragement at all levels.

Commenting on the large turnout of past and present Test cricketers at the function, Izharul observed their presence augers well for promotion of the game in the city.

Prof Faruqi said that recent PCB U-19 championship won by Karachi Whites is a good sign the future of the game in the city is extremely bright.

KCCA joint secretary Jamil Ahmed, Mushir Rabbani, KCCA Zone-III president Mohammad Raees, and Karachi Whites head coach Mohammad Masroor also addressed the gathering.

Test cricketers Shoaib Mohammad, Khurram Manzoor, Sohail Khan, Kabir Khan, Shadab Kabir, Tanvir Ahmed, Faisal Iqbal along with internationals Anwar Ali, Ghulam Ali and Mahmood Hamid graced the function along with M. Touseef Siddiqui, Shahzad Alam, Mahboob Shah, Abdul Hamid Khatri, Zaheeruddin Khan and Khurshid Ahmed Shah.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2017