By Irshad Ali
Sports Journalists Association Sindh (SJAS) the provincial unit of Pakistan Sports Writers Federation (PSWF) presented a gold medal to the skipper of Pakistan cricket team Sarfraz Ahmed for his remarkable services here at National Museum Auditorium, Karachi.
SJAS organized a Gold Medal Presentation Ceremony to honor Sarfraz Ahmed and Presentation of 2nd Rashid Ali Siddiqui (Late) former president SJAS Talent Award.
On the occasion, Sarfraz thanked SJAS for presenting him Gold Medal and congratulated all SJAS members for organizing such a great event.
Sarfraz said that Rashid Ali Siddiqui (late) was a great human being, his services for sports in Sindh was respectful.
Sarfraz Ahmed further said that encouragement, especially in our country, guided players to do well in future.
Sarfraz has said, “I am hopeful to perform well in the upcoming tri-nation series against Australia and Zimbabwe”.
He said that there is no dearth of talent in Pakistan in all sports.
Other sports-related players should be encouraged like cricket, he added.
Answer to a query, Sarfraz said that Zimbabwe is a good team in their home ground.
There is no weak team in T20 cricket, he added.
Earlier, Sindh Sports Minister and Patron SJAS, Syed Junaid Ali Shah addressing on the occasion said that “Sarfraz Ahmed is our legend”.
He said that our best wishes with Sarfraz always adding that the encouragement by SJAS conferring Sarfraz with the gold medal is very encouraging and should continue to promote other players too.
“SJAS has also conferred other young athletes by awarding them is a unique step and I hope they continue this trend for the promotion of sports”, he added.
Having being reappointed as caretaker minister, I assure all the sportsmen in this province, to come up with special programs so as to encourage not only the sportsmen but also the sports loving people.
Ex-chief selector, Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu hailed SJAS step to honor Sarfraz Ahmed.
He said that former President SJAS, Rashid Ali Siddiqui (late) was a brave man. He put in best services in the field of sports.
SJAS has given Rashid Ali Siddiqui shield to World No 3 of Under-13 squash player Huzaifa Ibrahim, Weightlifter Rabia Shehzad, Jujitsu champion Muhammad Ammar, national footballer Shakir Lashari and national athlete Moeed Baloch.
SJAS also gave shields to their members Shahid Satti, Shahid Ali Ansari, Arshad Wahab and Javed Iqbal for their hard work in the field of sports.
Later, President SJAS Tariq Aslam and Secretary Muhammad Asghar Azeem thanked all the guests and journalists for making the event successful.
By Muhammad Asghar Azeem
KARACHI: Pakistan’s first Professional Boxer Muhammad Waseem Monday appealed to the federal government and the private institutions to support him as the Korean Promoter withdraw its support and blocked me on social media.
While talking to media persons at ‘Meet The Press’, jointly organized by Sports Journalists Association of Sindh (SJAS) and Karachi Press Club (KPC) here yesterday, Waseem said, “despite the continuous undefeatable performance in eight international fights, promoter told me to bring the invested money on me.”
He said his financial problems are increasing day-by-day and I am fighting for my beloved Pakistan.
Thanking for SJAS and KPC for holding this press conference, Pugilist Muhammad Waseem said, “I belonged to Quetta, Balochistan but Sports journalists of Karachi and KPC warmly welcome me every time, when I visited here.”
Former Chief Minister Balochistan, Sanaullah Zehri did not fulfill his promise made with me, hopeful that newly appointed CM will reconsider my case, added Waseem.
No future of sports seen in Balochistan, he further added.
Waseem said that grant was given by the former Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had been spent on the training and accommodation etc at USA and Korea.
Professional boxing is an expensive game in Pakistan and abroad. My participation in three professional fights every year compulsory but due to my Korean promoter and financial problems, the participation of this year’s competition in April seems to be difficult, Waseem further added.
Boxer said, ‘Promoters are demanding money while sponsors refraining me from displaying Pakistan flag, but I am not disappointed, despite the promoter’s being blocked me on social media, I will win for Pakistan.’
Waseem appealed to the federal government and private sponsors to help him.
Waseem take a jibe at British boxer Amir Khan and said that Amir Khan turns Pakistan for sponsors. I am disappointed that government gave importance to Amir Khan, despite he is not fought a single fight for Pakistan.
Coaching academy given to Amir Khan in Islamabad is inevitable, boxer said.
United States and Korea offered me their citizenship, but Pakistan is my identity therefore I had rejected their offers, Waseem concluded.
President KPC, Ahmed Malik, President SJAS, Tariq Aslam and Secretary Asghar Azeem while addressing said that “Despite having a backward province like Baluchistan, it is a big act of incredible success in the eight professional fights, the government of Pakistan and Balochistan should play its role in solving the problems of the WBC champion Muhammad Waseem.
By Irshad Ali, EC Member PSWF
The Sports Journalists Association Sindh (SJAS) honored senior sports journalists Amjad Aziz Malik, Abdul Rasheed Shakoor and Faizan Lakhani for their services in the field of sports on Wednesday at the Sindh Scouts Headquarter Auditorium.
It is pertinent to mention that President of the Pakistan Sports Writers Federation (PSWF) and Secretary General of Association of International Press of Sports (AIPS) Asia, Amjad Aziz Malik was once again elected as General Secretary of AIPS Asia in the AIPS Asia Congress 2017 which was held in Islamabad in October.
SJAS organized a ceremony at Sindh Scouts Auditorium to honour the services of the senior sports journalists Abdul Rasheed Shakoor and Faizan Lakhani, who covered around 100 international matches for Pakistan. SJAS presented a gold medal to Amjad Aziz Malik, while presenting a memento to Lakhani and Shakoor.
Sindh Information Minister, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah was the chief guest who lauded the services of Amjad Aziz Malik, Faizan Lakhani and Abdul Rasheed Shakoor in the field of sports and organizing various events wh outlined that they made their country proud globally. The Minister also assured the media members that the government of Sindh would provide all kind of support to the journalist community. “We are always available for journalists financially and trying to solve their problems,” added Nasir Hussain Shah. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister hailed SJAS services and appreciated the entire association for organizing this event.
Amjad Aziz Malik, elected secretary of AIPS Asia said: “It is an honor for me that I’ve again elected as secretary of AIPS Asia. I have struggled a lot to achieve my goals. Despite all opposition I worked hard for this position once again,”
Abdul Rasheed Shakoor, who covered hundred international matches in UAE while 370 international matches in total internationally said on the occasion that “In the 1990s, we have attempted hard to develop sports journalists association but we failed due to lack of cooperation and unity among the members.” Shakoor thanked SJAS for honoring him. Faizan Lakhani thanked all his seniors for their endless support. Lakhani has covered around 100 international matches.
Speaking on the occasion, Olympian Islahuddin suggested that media should “promote hockey at their fullest,” Islahuddin appreciated the services of SJAS.Senior sports journalist, Abdul Majid Bhatti appealed to the Sindh Sports Minister, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah that the Sindh government should develop more grounds in Sindh and requested the government of Sindh to look after those former journalists who are living from hand to mouth. SJAS also presented souvenir to four members namely Syed Nasar Iqbal, Mansoor Ali Baig, Riaz Uddin and Zubair Nazeer Khan who recieved lifetime achievement awards at the AIPS Congress in 2017. Later, President SJAS, Tariq Aslam and Secretary Asghar Azeem thanked all the participants for attending the event.
TV and Radio Sports Commentator and former CEO of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Chishti Mujahid, Senior journalists Shahid Hashmi, Sardar Khan, Mansoor Ali Baig, Hockey commentator, Riazuddin, Olympian Islahuddin, Ex-KCCA chief, Aijaz Farooqui, President KUJ, Hassan Abbas, Sports Consultant NBP, Ghulam Muhammad, Senior Vice President SJAS, Zubair Nazeer Khan, Vice President SJAS, Ubaid Awan along with other members attend the event.