KARACHI, Jan 4: The outgoing president of the Pakistan Sailing Federation (PSAF), Vice Admiral M. Asad Qureshi, said on Wednesday that the sport would attain new heights with the enhancement of its annual grant in aid by the PSB manifold.

The PSAF used to get a meagre amount of Rs. 50,000 which had now been increased to Rs1 million due to his efforts, he told members of the management committee after chairing their last meeting.

Recalling his contribution the official said he did whatever he could to uplift the sport among youths, which served as nursery. PSAF funded competitions whosoever submitted his plans besides ensuring sailors participation abroad when needed, he added.

He expressed his optimism that with an additional support from Pakistan Sports Trust (PST) the sailors would bring laurels from the Asian Games being held later this year.

He called upon the civilians to come forward in the sport which was mostly dominated by services personnel.

The PSAF chief said a ‘National Ranking’ in each class would come into effect from this year.

Earlier, secretary of the PSAF, Capt (retd) S. V. Hasan, gave details of activities of last year besides informing members about preparations for Asian Games.

The meeting was also attended by: Lt. Cdr Javed Rasool, Group Capt Haroon, Rasool Khan Mahsud, Lt. Cdr Mamoon Sadiq, Lt. Cdr M. Ashraf Javed, S. Lt Rafaqat Ali, Maj Amir Rehman Syed, Sr. Tech Muhammad Yousaf, Nk Mazhar Hussain, Ms Rubina Ikram, Mir Masood Rashid, Lt. Mudassar, Lt. Cdr Awan, Cdr (retd) Q. U. Usmani, Ms Sabiha Omer, Maj (retd) Mayhar Datigara, M. Nawaz, Wilayat Ali, Hav Mushtaq and Mazhar Iqbal.