AFP chief lauds Karachi’s contribution in athletics, calls for more tartan tracks
KARACHI: President of Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP), retired Maj Gen Mohammad Akram Sahi said on Thursday that hosting of the 48th National Athletics Championship in the metropolis after more than a decade will send positive message about the improved law and order situation here.
He admitted that it’s very unfortunate that the premier athletics championship of the country could not take place in the city for long due to one reason or the other but assured that it will return to the city after five to six years.
Sahi was addressing a press conference at the PSB Coaching Centre on Thursday to unveil details of the mega event. He was flanked by the AFP secretary Mohammad Zafar, retired Col Zafar Ahmed, Sindh Athletics Association President Syed Zahid Ali Rizvi, SAA Women’s Wing President Humaira Khan and veteran athlete Mohammad Talib.
At the outset Sahi shared details of his meetings with the Corps Commander, DG Rangers Sindh and the Sindh Sports Minister earlier in the day. ‘I have drawn their attention to laying of more tartan tracks in the city and the province in order to create healthy environment and to improve the existing standard,’ he maintained.
He said that it is a dilemma that over 20 million population city has just one facility for track and field which is more than two decades old.
Applauding the athletics standard in Karachi during the years gone by, the AFP president said the city always used to have two to three fantastic athletes in the national teams.
He paid rich tributes to Talib for playing consistent role in providing fine athletes at the national level through his Athletic Fitness School.
He also made special mention of Karachi-based former South Asian sprint queen Naseem Hameed.
Sahi thanked the PSB for sending Capt Ashraf from Islamabad for facelift of the facilities besides sending the required equipment.