Karachi: 6th Annual Sports Award and Rashid Siddiqui Talent Award ceremony was organised by the Sports Journalists Association of Sindh (SJAS) at the Governor House.

The Governor of Sindh, Muhammad Kamran Khan Tessori, while addressing the ceremony, said that SJAS kept the tradition alive, of awarding athletes with sports journalists in recognition of their services, which is highly commendable. We all need to play our roles for the development of the country and the role of sports journalists, in highlighting the peaceful image of the country, and in the return of international sports to Pakistan is unforgettable, said the caretaker provincial minister for sports and patron Dr. Junaid Ali Shah. Dr Shah added that he and SJAS had been together since SJAS was a small plant. He expressed delight to see that now SJAS had become a tree.

Looking at the tradition of SJAS, Dr Shah announced, the Sindh government’s plan to also recognise the services of sportspersons and encourage them in January next year, with “Sindh Awards”, while the Sindh Games will also be held in January.  Patron of SJAS and Chief Executive of Essa Lab and Honorary Commander of Pakistan Navy Dr. Farhan Essa Abdullah said that for any country's development, promotion of sports is the real key. He added that the mission of SJAS is to serve sports and athletes.

SJAS’ Patron and Chief Executive Officer of Virtual Axis, Khawaja Ahmad Mustaqeem acknowledged SJAS for its brilliant work, because of which, he said, SJAS has gained a unique spot amongst sports associations in the country, which should be followed. Shahid Saati, Secretary SJAS, has vowed to carry on their services for SJAS members and keep on recognising athletes, with unity in their ranks.  Mahmood Riaz, Senior Vice President of SJAS, hosted the event. At the end of the ceremony, Olympian Abdul Haseem Khan was awarded SJAS Gold Medal along with Rs 50,000/- cash. Senior Journalist Zubair Nazeer Khan was conferred with Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah Gold Medal and Rs 50,000 cash award. Ali Salman was declared Best Sports Anchor, Olympic International Referee Judge, Ali Akber Shah Qadri and Senior Journalist Rashid Aziz was recognised with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Professor Dr. Farhan Essa Abdullah Abdeen was awarded the Best Sports Organizer Award, Javed Iqbal (Best Senior Reporter), Shehzada Moeen (Best Emerging Reporter), Danish Alvi (Best Producer), Nadra Mushtaq (Best Reporter and Analyst for Electronic Media), Tariq Hussain (Best Senior Reporter). Junaid Ahmed Rajput (Best Junior Reporter), Kulsoom Jahan (Best Emerging Reporter for Urdu Newspaper), Muhammad Osama (Best Reporter English Media), Anisur Rehman (Best Commentator Radio) and Anzar Ahmed Hamdani (Best Reporter Social Media), Karate Player Dilawar Khan Sannan, martial arts coach Jannat Gul, bodybuilder Shehzad Qureshi, captain wheelchair cricket team Muhammad Zeeshan and international cricketer Aroob Shah were able to get the SJAS Awards for athletes.

International footballer, Street Children team, Mohammad Shah Mir, Fencing Champion and Coach Mehwish Aftab, Special Athlete Mohammad Ibrahim, Taekwondo Champion Mehwish Zuberi and swimmer Hareem Malik were honored with the SJAS Rashid Siddiqui Talent Awards. The event was attended by members of SJAS, senior journalists, sportspersons and organisers in large numbers.

Published in The Daily National Courier, December, 27 2023

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