Karachi: Sindh Sports Minister Dr. Junaid Ali Shah feels that every stakeholder in country’s sports will have to contribute for the revival of sports to subsequently regain Pakistan’s lost glory in the international arena.
“We need to ignore differences between us and make mutual efforts for the betterment of sports in the country. We also need to give special attention to Olympic sports, which are recognized internationally,” Junaid said during celebration of Olympic Day.
Junaid praised Softball Federation of Pakistan (SFP) and National Softball Academy for hosting Olympic Day celebrations here at Karachi Parsi Institute Ground.
SFP Secretary Asif Azeem, Sindh Olympic Association (SOA) Secretary Ahmed Ali Rajput, National Softball Academy Chairperson Tehmina Asif, Director Academy Mohammad Nasir, Director International Affairs Zaheer Hussain, Pervaiz Ahmed Shaikh, Organizing Secretary Imran Zaman, Head Coach Mohammad Iqbal, Coordinator Murad Hussain, Coach Fraz Ijaz, Hamid Ali Khan and other persons of sports community of the city were also present on the occasion.
Junaid added that the game of softball was now gaining appeal among youngsters of the country, which is a good omen for the sport.
He added that the National Softball Academy would provide players an opportunity to learn modern techniques and rules and regulation of the game.
He further said that he would help the academy to send its coaches abroad so that they could get world-class training and return to coach our players in an effective manner.
He praised SFP Secretary Asif Azeem for playing important role in popularizing the game of softball in the country. Junaid hoped that softball players of Pakistan would win laurels for the country in future as well.
After Junaid’s address, the National Softball Academy, SFP officials and the minister cut the cake to celebrate Olympic Day.
A festival softball match was also played to commemorate World Softball Day between Karachi Greeen Women’s team and Karachi Blue Women’s team, which was won by the former by 14-10 score.
Junaid later presented winner’s trophy to Karachi Greens captain Ayesha Ishtiaq and runner-up’s trophy to Bushra Javed, captain of Karachi Blues.