HYDERABAD: The Sindh Games Association (SGA) on Wednesday held a grand ceremony at a local hotel here to honour top male and female athletes, officials and sports journalists of Hyderabad Region for their excellent show in all the previous Sindh Games editions.

This was the second awards ceremony staged for Sindh Games position holders organised by Sindh Games Association which was held at Indus Hotel Hyderabad in which 124 medal winning players and officials belonging to Hyderabad Region were given awards. The first such ceremony for Karachi’s outstanding Sindh Games athletes was held in November.

Lifetime Achievement Award given to Prof. Muhammad Akram Ansari, Ghaffar Rajput, Naeem Khan, Dr. Ahmed Haider., Saleem Khan and Mukhtar Bhatti while Masood Akhtar Arain, Mir Ehsan Talpur, Rehan Khanzada, Ayesha Razzaq Arain, Rehana Bhatti, Habib Kausar, Saleem Wasti, Shams-ul-Afeen, Muhammad Afzal, Shabnam Sarwat Arai. Khaliq-ul-Zaman, Hassan Ali Arain, Sarwat Arain were given Appreciation Awards.

Sports Journalist Haroon Arain, Furqan Rajput, senior journalists Nasir Sheikh, Akram Shahid. Nadeem Khawar, Farhan Ahmed, Umeer Rajput, Imran Saeed, Shahid Ansari and others were also presented awards for sports coverage.

Additional IG Police Hyderabad Dr. Jamil Ahmad Khan was the chief guest on the occasion while, Chairman Hero Motorcycle Seth Asad Barkat and President Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders Saleem-ud-Din Qureshi graced the occasion as guests of honour.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Jamil Ahmed said that having a healthy mind is very important for a healthy body. “Special attention is paid to sports all over the world but the youth will have to realize its importance. There is no shortage of talent in Pakistan and by organising this impressive ceremony, the Sindh Games Association has taken a very good step of encouraging the players and officials.”

He said that he himself has been participating in various sports since his childhood and his doors are always open to the youth.

Saleem Qureshi also spoke on the occasion and said that in any society where playgrounds are inhabited, hospitals are deserted.

Mudassar Arain, President, Sindh Games Association said: “”We want to provide maximum opportunities to the youth. Sindh Games have been held 17 times since 1986 but the athletes excelling in them were never patronised or encouraged before. Our association wants to boost their confidence and is keen to educate and groom the young players from the grass root level.”

He said that after Karachi and Hyderabad ceremonies, the next function will be held in Mirpur Khas on Jan 20. “Similar functions will also be held in Larkana, Shaheed Benazirabad and Sukkur. And in January, an athletics meet will be held in Hyderabad,” he disclosed.

Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2020