MIRPURKHAS, April 1: The 15h Sindh Games which were participated in by some 2,000 athletes and officials from across the province came to an impressive end here on Sunday.

Provincial Minister for Sports Dr Mohammad Ali Shah termed the event as a successful one in which several new records were created and added that efforts will be made to hold this event every year.

According to the results of the Sindh Games, the best female athlete award was given to Razia Sher Khan of Karachi division, while among male participants, Riaz Khan of Karachi division was declared the best athlete of Sindh Games Overall positions saw Karachi division obtaining the first place with 93 gold, 36 silver and 19 bronze medals, Hyderabad division 2nd position with 28 gold, 53 silver and 39 bronze medals and Sukkur division clinching 3rd position with 12 gold, 20 silver and 28 bronze medals.

Hosts Mirpurkhas division finished fourth with 10 gold, 28 silver and 57 bronze medals while Larkana division finshed 5th and last with seven gold, 11 silver and 35 bronze medals.

The PTV Sports channel directly telecast the Games for the first time from Mirpurkhas. Dr Shah said that cricket made its debut in the Games this time and a festival cricket match was also played between Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas. He also announced to hold Sindh Games at Hyderabad in 2013.

Later, chief guest Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani and Dr Shah gave away the trophies to the winning players and team leaders.

Pir Aftab said that Mirpurkhas has best sportsmen and they have been warmly welcoming all sports organisers and players who took part in sports activities in past. However, it was a big effort to host the 15th Sindh Games in Mirpurkhas after 15 years.

Pir Aftab said that Gama Stadium has a great history as late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto also addressed a public meeting here while Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto addressed the nation here in one of her last speeches before her assassination.

He added that in 1974, the Sri Lankan cricket team played their first class match with Pakistan on this ground. He said that when he was sports minister, Rs30 million were allocated for development of Gama Stadium and a big sports complex is now being constructed on eight acres near Mirpurkhas at Tando Adam road.

Mirpurkhas deputy commissioner Nadeemur Rehman Memon also spoke at the ceremony.

Earlier, children of different schools presented cultural tableau.

Meanwhile, Karachi’s softball team bagged a gold medal after putting up superb display in the final against Sukkur on Sunday.

Defending champions Karachi beat Sukkur 9-7 with softball team captain Mohammad Iqbal and Faraz Ijaz scoring three runs each. Muzammil also scored two runs.

In reply, Sukkur could score only seven runs with Azeem Ali and Mohammad Akbar scoring two each. In another contest, Hyderabad beat Mirpurkhas 11-3 to clinch a bronze medal in softball.