KARACHI: Pakistan Olympic Association president retired Lt Gen Arif Hassan has lauded the role of Karachi Basketball Association (KBBA) in promoting the game of basketball at grass roots level in the city.

He expressed these views during a meeting with KBBA president Ghulam Mohammad Khan and Abbas Jamal Advocate here the other day. Squash legend Jahangir Khan, Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui, POA secretary Khalid Mehmood and SOA vice-president Waseem Hashmi were also present on the occasion.

Gen Arif assured KBBA president of POA’s full support in promoting the game. “I must praise the KBBA for its tremendous efforts and its role in promoting the game of basketball at all levels in Karachi and Sindh,” he said. “I am happy to see that KBBA holds year-round basketball activities and has done a fine job in making the sport popular at the grass root level and among schools and colleges.”

On the occasion, Ghulam Mohammad apprised Gen Arif about the KBBA activities.

“KBBA in collaboration with Commissioner Karachi and the city administration has been successfuly holding round the year basketball tournaments, coaching camps, training sessions, umpiring and refresher courses for both boys and girls events,” he said.

Ghulam Mohammad also thanked Pakistan Basketball Federation, which is headed by Khalid Bashir, as well as the Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) for their constant support to KBBA.

Later, the KBBA president invited Gen Arif to be the chief guest at the annual award event which was graciously accepted by the POA chief.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2020