KARACHI: Pakistan’s former Test cricketers and chief selectors Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu and Iqbal Qasim on Friday urged Prime minister Imran Khan to recognise renowned sports patron Nadeem Omar’s tremendous services over the past few decades for the development and promotion of sports including cricket, hockey, snooker, scrabble, softball and many other.
Talking to media personnel here on Friday, Sallu said the affable Quetta Gladiators owner has done enough for sports to deserve a medal from the government. “Nadeem Omar remains one of the most under-appreciated heroes of Pakistan who has supported sports in the country for more than two decades,” said the record ten time chief selector. “I urge Prime Minister Imran Khan to acknowledge his (Nadeem’s) services and the manner in wehich he has patronized sports and sportsmen and sportswomen.”
“Besides running Pakistan’s most successful cricket club, the Pakistan Cricket Club, for more than thirty years, Nadeem has played a key role in giving many fine players to the country. He has rendered untiring services to Karachi cricket by encouraging and grooming dozens of young players and is now heading Karachi Regional Cricket Association and taking it to great heights,” observed Sallu.
“Through Quetta Gladiators, Nadeem brought fantastic players to Pakistani fans including Kevin Pietersen, Kumar Sangakkara, Shane Watson, Dwayne Bravo and scores of others who enthralled the home fans in PSL.
Iqbal Qasim, the Bangalore Test hero, also called on PM Imran to honour Nadeem Omar for his fine efforts for the development of the game during the past many years. “Nadeem is an unsung hero whose outstanding services and support to sports in Pakistan has not been recognized by governments in Pakistan,” said Iqbal.
“He has been there supporting different sports for the last 20 to 30 years be it cricket, hockey, snooker, scrabble and other disciplines.
Iqbal praised Nadeem for opting for the lowly ranked Pakistan Super League team Quetta Gladiators and propelling it to title winners by clinching the PSL title early this year.
“Nadeem has been investing heavily in cricket from last two decades. It was his move of stepping up to help Pakistan hockey team to participate in Champions Trophy 2014 which got him appreciation globally,” said Iqbal who heads the NBP Sports Division.
Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2019
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