Sports Bulletin

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL Islamabad (August 24, 2021):-As many as over 50 top national players are being participating Chairman Bahria Town Night Golf Championship 2021 that kicked off on Monday night under the banner of Garden City Golf Club, sponsored by AAA Associates, Leading group of Companies at Garden City Golf Club, Phase-7, Bahria Town, Islamabad. . According to an official, over 50 top golfers, corporate teams and diplomats are competing from all over Pakistan. Pakistan No.1 ranked professional golfer Shabbir along with Vice Chief Executive Bahria Town, Mohammad Ilyas, Deputy Cheif Executive Bahria Town Sajid Ilyas, Managing Director AAA Associates Lt Col. Shahzad Kiani and Secretary Garden City Golf Club Brig Saeed Dar have graced the opening ceremony. Championship aim is to revive sport oriented activity to come out of the trauma of COVID-19 post pandemic scenario. The tournament will be concluded at same venue. Registered Participants include 56 top professionals, more than 50 Ladies and Juniors, 100 Club Members, 12 Corporate Teams and some foreign dignitaries along with senior golfers. The Professional Category prize pool is Rs 3 million, with trophies for winning participants. Team Trophies and Medals for three best Corporate Teams and eight prizes in each category will also be awarded. Overall, more than 150 prizes will be distributed. Earlier, talking to the press conference, the Garden City secretary shared his thoughts and said, “We want more public and professional golfers to participate in this event which offers great excitement and opportunity for rising stars to showcase their talent and promote golf among the young population, “he said.  MD AAA associate Lt. Col Shahzad Ali Kiani (R) stressed upon the mental and health benefits of the sport. He said, “We are eager to promote Golf and showcase it in a manner which will promote this sport to our populace. It is a healthy family sport which helps in alleviating stress and aids to develop a sense of community connectedness. We at AAA Associates encourage everyone to take part in this sport”. It is hoped that this Tournament will go a long way in promoting Golf and Golfers in the Country. AAA Associates has been very supportive in sponsoring Sports related activities like Cricket, Hockey, Football and other sports tournaments, which encourages the local participants to showcase their talent and promote a healthy environment in the community.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (June 1, 2021):-Umair Saleem has won the title of 1st Night Golf Tournament that was organized by AAA Associates organized in collaboration with Garden City Golf and Country Club, Bahria Town. The event was attended by the notables from Military and different segments of the society. Among Participants are some well-known personalities like Ex-COAS Ashfaq Parvez Kiani (R), Gen Zahirul Islam (R), Gen Hilal (R), Air Marshal Asim Zaheer (R)Ex VCAS PAF, Chairman AAA Associates Mr. Sheikh Fawad Bashir, MD Lt.Col Shahzad Ali kiani (R) and Maj Gen Guftar Shah (R) also graced the event with their esteemed presence. Around 100 local residence and players participated in this night Tournament with display of magnificent lighting array make the event more attractive. AAA Associate has plan to organized similar Night Golf tournament in other cities of Pakistan to encourage this sport among local community. Golf is considered an expensive game and associated with elite section of our society. AAA Associates organized this match to put an end to this stereotype by promoting Golf sports among Middleclass community of the twin cities. They offered participants with discounted membership of the Club and inexpensive Golf Kits to encourage local community to take active part in this healthy game. After a fierce competition, the golfers with top 3 score were awarded with shields and prizes. In female category, Amna Kiani scores 42 to become Gross winner and followed by 2nd position secured by Saeeda Akhtar and Manaza with third position in the row. In men’s Gross category, Umair Saleem scored 39 to secured first position followed by Aslam Raja and Shoaib-ud-din both scored 37 holes each. Top three Net scores are Zubair Shah 38, Maj Abid and Maj General Suleman score 33 each. Chairman AAA Associates Sheikh Fawad Bashir and MD Lt. Col Shahzad Ali Kiani (R) distributed the prizes among the winners. On this occasion Chairman AAA Associate Sheikh Fawad Bashir said that AAA Associate took pride in organizing First Night Golf tournament of twin cities with the aim to bring out best talent from our local community to be recognized at National level. “We are committed to make this sport accessible for every section of society to end this perception of up-class game. Similarly in our Business niche, we are striving to revolutionize existing business model by implementing innovative practices to break stereotypes of associating big businesses with rich community, “he added. MD AAA associate Lt.Col Shahzad Ali Kiani (R) also said ‘  We encourage sports in all form as essential part of our business model to engage our internal and external stakeholder in healthy activity. AAA Associate always supports local Organization and community in organizing sport related activities. We’ll continue to offer our support for sport related activity that involve local community engagement at large level”. AAA Associate has been active in supporting various sport activity in the twin city which involves organizing Cricket, Football and other sports tournament that play vital role in encouraging local talent and promoting Healthy environment in the community.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (March 28, 2021):-Prominent national golfer Shabbir Iqbal on Sunday clinched the title of Bank Al Habib’s 10th Rashid D Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament 2021 after leaving all the challengers behind that concluded at Karachi Golf Club. According to a tournament official, Shabbir Iqbal topped the leaderboard with 275-13 under par after completing 54 holes game in three days. Ahmed Baig was the first runner up with 178-10 under par while Mohammad Ashfaq captured third position with 280-8 under par. They winners were paid PKR703,500, PKR454,930 and 281,400 respectively as their share out of the total prize money of PKR7.9 million. Tahir Naseem and Irfan Mehmood tied the senior professional category title with score of 144. Iftikhar Ahmed captured third position and scored 145. Abdul Wadood won the Junior Professional category with 147-3 and was paid PKR47,500 as prize money. Mohammad Saqib is holding second position and claimed PKR37500. Akash scored 153-3 to win PKR30,000 and third position. Chief Guest at the occasion Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi (SI-M) appreciated efforts of Bank Al Habib and Abbas family in the promotion of Golf in Pakistan. Admiral Niazi distributed prizes among the winners. Bank Al Habib’s Managing Director- Abbas D Habib thanked the Pakistan Golf Federation, Karachi Golf Club and Golfers in making this tournament a success. Tournament Winner Shabbir Iqbal said, “I played my best and Allah Al-Mighty rewarded me. I am thankful to Bank Al Habib for their utmost cooperation with Golf and Golfers in our country.”

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (March 10, 2020):-The Tournament Director, Ali Haider announced on Tuesday that 59th National Amateur Golf Championship would be teed off on Thursday (March 12) at Islamabad Club Gold Course (ICGC), as the top amateur golfer would take part in the 4-day fixture. While unfolding the details of the championship in a press conference at Islamabad Golf Club, Ali Haider further said that the Jayewardena Team Trophy would be played at same venue between hosts Pakistan and Sri Lanka. “Also, we have invited other countries for the international events but they are hesitating to travel owing the coronaviras. Sri Lanka organizes Zia-ul-Haq international event in Colombo while Pakistan Jayewardena Team event, “he further said. Responding to a question he said that the championship would be played in three categories including Amateur Men’s Individual, Senior Men’s Individual and Amateur Ladies’ Individual respectively over 72, 54 and 54 holes. “The Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Lt. General Nadeem Raza will be chief guest at the closing ceremony on March 15 to disburse the prizes among the players, “he said. “Inter-Association golf tournament will also be played at ICGC and five teams will compete for the top honour. Besides hosts Federal Golf Association, Balochistan Golf Association, Sindh Golf Association, Khyber Pakhtoon Kawa (KPK) Golf Association and Punjab Gold Association’s players will show the golf skill in the national golf showpiece., “Ali Haider replied another question. He told to reporter on this eve that Taimoor Khan, Rimsha Ijaz, Col (Retd) Rustam Ali Chatta would defend their title, as they were winners of the 58th edition that was held in Lahore in 2019. “Islamabad Golf Club course is ready to host this event, however, we may take the decision according to weather conditions. We are going to start electronic scoring system first time in Pakistan, “he concluded.        

  SB Report ISLAMABAD-The 9th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Amateur Golf Championship 2019 will tee off from October 25 2019 at Defence Raya Golf & Country Club Lahore. The three-day Championship represents a continuity of effort and devotion by Pakistan Navy to the cause of promoting Golf in the country.  It has now acquired the status of a premier event and is eagerly sought by champions of our golf arena as well as other upcoming and talented golfers who seek elevation of their ranking in the national golf circuit of Pakistan.  From the moment the schedule of the CNS Golf Championship is announced, there is a craze amongst the golfing community for getting registered as competitors and participants but then only the skilled ones are eligible and an amateur golfer has to be in the handicap 12 and below to get accepted as a participant in the actual championship. The Patron is extremely delighted that this event has become an essential part of the National Golf events since its inception 8 years back in 2011. In this event, the golf players seek participation joy and glory will come forward and demonstrate their playing skill and ability in the premier activity.  Moreover, through continuity, this championship has attained an admirable status and is regarded as eminent championship of the national golf calendar. Before I move forward first let me acknowledge the services of the Defence Raya Golf & Country Club management and staff for providing full support in organizing these events and have prepared the Golf Course in a way that the participants will be much comfortable.  I understand that fairways are in great shape and accurate hitting will be a pleasure, for the participants. Pakistan Navy wishes to enhance its association with sports promotion and development.  Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi NI(M) is a sports lover and whole-heartedly subscribes to the holding of this national golf event and whishes the best to all participants. Eligibility criteria for the main event for amateurs will be contested over three rounds with 18 holes to be played each day making it a total of 54 holes.  Winner in this category will be awarded the title and the trophy and the victorious one will be the competitor with the best gross score.  The seniors will compete over a total of 18 holes on 25 October.  Those eligible to participate must be above 55 years and have a handicap of 14 and below.  Ladies contest will be over 18 holes on 25 October and criteria for handicap is 30 and below.  The participating ladies are spirited about the Championship and are optimistic about their chances.  But then there are some very determined ones who have all the urge to appear as the challengers. I must admire that, my entire team have vigorously pursued the arrangements to ensure that excellence remains the hallmark of the event.  As for the playing arena, Defence Raya Golf Course has a standing amongst the golf courses of Asia and will be a challenge to the competing golfers, especially those coming from other stations. In the end I take this opportunity to extend my heartiest appreciation to the management of Defence Raya Golf & Country Club and all sponsors who have ensured their all out support to the team of Station Headquarter Navy in organizing this Mega event. Without their support this championship of such a magnitude is very difficult to be organized.