KARACHI: Foreign delegates have lauded Pakistan’s contribution in creating awareness about sports medicine globally in general and across the country in particular.

“Pakistan played a lead role in the setting up of the Asian Federation of Sports Medicine (AFSM) in 1990 as the late Dr Nishat Malik was elected its founding secretary during that year,” they observed.

The delegates made these remarks during the 17th SMAP and AFSM Sports Medicine Congress that concluded here on Saturday.

Some 150 people including foreign participants from the United Kingdom, Saudi Arab, Iran, Canada, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong attended the two-day regional moot which was held in Pakistan for the second time. The country hosted the congress for the first time back in 2004.

The executive committee of the regional body which met on the sidelines of the congresss, also applauded the efforts of the organising committee and the newly-elected president of SMAP, Dr Ucksy Mallick.

On the occasion, Dr Zhan Hui of China and Dr Upal Madahapola of Sri Lanka shared their experience in the development of medical support for athletes on session on “athlete care”.

Fitness trainer and nutritionist Mantaha Maqsood delivered a lecture on the importance of nutrition in sports and the difference in exercise planning between the genders.

The SMAP president shared his expertise on the process of doping control and presented a tribute to late Dr Danish Zaheer, the former presidentof the AFSM.

Alaa Abu Hammata of the US presented motivational techniques in sports and the importance of psychology while Dr Talia (Canada), Dr Roshanak (Iran), Dr Qassim Muadi and Dr Ahmed Al Dukhai (Saudi Arabia) emphasised the need for updated education in rehabilitation techniques in order to assist the player in returning to sports.

Senator Shirala Mallick, who is patron of the SMAP, was also present at the congress as the guest of honour and chaired the session on women in sports.

She appreciated the efforts of female athletes and shared her views on the difficulties faced by females in male-dominated sports.

Sindh Minister for Information, Human Resource, Transport and Labour Nasir Hussain Shah praised the SMAP for its efforts and its team having completed its 27 years since its inception.

The congress was formally inaugurated by president of the Asian Federation of Sports Medicine (AFSM) Prof Dr Patrick Yung of Hong Kong on Friday.

Senator Haseeb Khan, who graced the occasion, in his candid speech, threw light on how to lead a healthy life.

He termed physical, mental and soul as three ingredients that are necessary for a human being to lead a healthy life.

In his extempore speech, the 78-year-old Senator said he has spent natural life and is a living example.

“For 40 years, I’ve eaten organic breakfast and neither fell ill nor took any medicine,” he pointed out, underlining that the trend of eating junk food is increasing in Pakistan which he had never tasted in his life.

He regretted that nobody comes to him in parliament with their suggestions for sports medicine.

Eulogising the role of late Dr Nishat Malik, he recalled that the former had approached him when the AFSM was in its infancy in 1993-1994, and asked to do something for sports medicine. “He was a thorough gentleman and trend setter of sports medicine in the country,” Haseeb remarked.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dr Waqar Kazmi said the organisers have mixed feelings of sorrow and joy on the occasion.

Elaborating, he said, sorrow because of the sudden demise of its former president Dr Danish Zaheer on Sept 4, and joy, for hosting the congress for the second time since the birth of AFSM.

Former special athlete Jasmine Sharif earned handsome applause while narrating her experience on disability in the next session.

Jasmine termed her journey as “dream come true” as she fetched two golds in the 2007 World Special Games in China and a gold and silver at 2013 Asia-Pacific Games staged in Australia.

“I was unable to walk and talk when I joined Special Olympics Pakistan (SOP) at a young age that transformed my life and I’m a champion,” she said proudly.

The scientific programme for the day included a workshop on knee rehabilitation and taping techniques conducted by orthopedic expert, Prof Kin Chan (Malaysia) and Dr Emad Mallick (UK). Dr Zhan Hui gave lecture on disability, use of supplements and doping control in sports.

Published in Dawn, December 3rd, 2017