Sports Bulletin

Sports Bulletin ReportKARACHI: Discount World (DW) today inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Karachi Golf Club (KGC), which is the oldest golf club in Karachi offering a 27-hole golf course, making it one of the largest green areas in Karachi, the club was an affiliate of the Sindh Club in 1888, and later on registered as an independent club in 1891.Discount World in its efforts to facilitate its VISA members, has partnered with the Karachi Golf Club to promote Golf in Pakistan, and with the club known for hosting several championships for golfers in the city, the move is aimed to further develop golf in Pakistan.DW’s strategic alliance will not only be a revolutionary move to promote Golf in the country but will also facilitate the golf players across the country to live their dream and excel on the lush green Golf field as a result of the alliance between the two organizations powered by VISA.Sultan Richard, Chairman & AMP, CEO, DW said:“We are elated to partner up with Karachi Golf Club for providing the best services on offer for the valued members. This partnership in alliance with VISA will just be the right step for the golf community and also a high potential to attract new golfers in Pakistan. And our alliance with the historical golf club will be one such move that could serve to promote golf in Pakistan like never before in the past.” saidThe MoU was signed between Sultan Richard and Vice President, Karachi Golf Club, Khurram Khan, in the presence of Bilal Rafi Muneer, Captain, Karachi Golf Club alongside the esteemed presence of Syed Shahnam Hasan, Lead CVP, VISA and Zoobash Saleemi, Lead Business Development, VISA.Vice President, Karachi Golf Club, Khurram Khan said:“It is a great privilege to tee off this partnership with Discount World which has been powered by VISA, this alliance will pave the ways for the people possessing the love for this sports, and will simultaneously help to attract more people towards golf in Pakistan, and thus paving the ways for representing Pakistan on the golf fields domestically and internationally”

Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD:-Ahn Ho Young from South Korea has won the title of the 2nd Friendship Through Sports (FTS) Diplomatic Golf with the Gross of 71, which was held at Pine Golf Club on Sunday, as 50 diplomates from different countries along with the Dean of Diplomatic Corps & Dean of Corps of Service Attaches from 28 different nations participated in the fixture.AHN Ho Young from South Korea claimed the title with a Gross Score of 71. In Men’s Net Category Young Sheng from China clinched the title with a score of 56. In the Ladies’ category, Zhao Xo Lan from China won with a gross score of 89 while in Net Category Li Zaho secured the top position with a score of 80.In the FTS Diplomatic team match, South Korea team consist of Col Jinneoyoung , and Jisceo kim won the trophy with a gross score of 152, and the Philippines team remained in second position with a score of 159. As many as nine teams participated in the team event contest.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI: Secretary, Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF), Briag (Retd) Sajid Ikram has announced that the 62nd National Amateur and Long Drive Golf Championship would be played from April 27 to 30, 2023 soon after the Holly month of Ramadan at Lahore Golf Club. “We will invite 15 countries to participate in the prestigious international golf showpiece and Jayewardene Trophy will be held taken place at the same venue during the same dates, ‘he added while addressing a press conference at PGF Secretariat Jehlum Road here on Friday. Also, on this occasion, PGF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the title sponsor Smart City. Group Chief Operating Officer, Mohammad Aslam Malik, and Secretary PGF Sajid Ikram inked the contract of MoU with Future Development Holdings (FDH) Private Limited as the title Sponsor. Brig (R) Sajid Ikram said: “It is the endeavor of PGF to promote the game of Golf in the country in the best possible way, every day more and more youngsters are joining in to learn and improve their skills. We have 49 registered golf courses in the country out of which only 24 golf courses are 18/27 holes.” He said we were also ensuring the maximum possible international participation of our golfers. “Our team of two ladies and as many men are currently representing Pakistan in Bangladesh.” Coming to the event, the Championship includes Stroke Play Amateur, Senior & Ladies Championship; Inter Association Men & Senior Championship; International Team Match Men; International Team Match Ladies, and J R Jayewardene Trophy. “We appreciate the support of FDH for sponsoring this World Class event and we assure them that with their support the event will be conducted in the best possible way. He also lauded the effort of Mohammad Aslam Malik, Group Chief Operating Officer, FDH, Brig Nadeem Aslam, Project Director Smart City Lahore, Louis Fernandez, Chief Development Officer, Smart City Golf Course, Simon, Golf Superi Capital Smart City Golf Course In charge and Malik Kamran PGF.

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: As many as 60 boys and girls exhibited their class in the 2nd Ace Junior Golf League (AJGL) that was recently held at the Bahria Garden City Golf and Country Club (BGCG&C) Islamabad. According to an official, despite predictions of heavy rainfall in the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad 60 passionate young boys and girls, aged between 5 and 18 years, ignored the weather forecast and participated with full enthusiasm in the event. Their commendable dedication speaks volumes for the future of golf in Pakistan. Credit for infusing this spirit amongst junior golfers at the grassroots level, must be given, unreservedly, to the remarkable team comprising its founder, President Munazza Shaheen and its hands, on Patron Dr Asma Afzal Shami. Working under the patronage and support of its Patron-in-chief, Lt Gen Mian Mohammad Hilal Hussain (R), the former President of PGF, they have jointly achieved an unbelievable level of success in putting Project AJGL on such sound foundations in the short span of three months. In the 2nd AJGL Match, junior golfers from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Lahore participated in four age-based categories. In Girls Birdie Category (4-10 years), Zoha Zeehan won the 1st position, Aleena Khan got second and little Korean player Taehui Kang won 3rd prize. Among Birdie Boys, Zalmay Amin from Peshawar won first position followed by Abdaal Khan (2nd) and Fazeel Ahmed (3rd). The prizes to this category were given by Yasmin Mubarik, who has the distinction of winning the National Championship four times. In Girls Eagle Category (10-14 years), the first position was secured by Ramin Amin from Peshawar, while Amna Malik and Sara Amin earned 2nd and 3rd respectively. Among Eagle Boys, Shahmir Ahmed was 1st, Musa Khan 2nd and Wajahat Anwer 3rd. Prizes to them were given by Cmdr Muhammad Ilyas, President BGCG&C. In Girls Albatross Category (14-18 years), Zarmina Khan finished 1st, Shazmina Khan 2nd and Meerab Rizwan 3rd. Among Boys Albatross, Basil Rehman won 1st, Irtaza Hussain 2nd and M Darmal 3rd position. In addition, some relatively elder golfers, aged 18-24 years, were invited to compete in a special Elite Class, with the aim of serving as role models for the younger golfers. In this category, Arooba Ali won the 1st prize among girls while Jasia Tassawar was 2nd. Among Boys, Osama Musa was placed 1st while Mohammad Hashim won 2nd. Prizes to the two senior categories were awarded by chief guest Gen Hilal (R), Patron-in-Chief. It needs to be mentioned that Basil ur Rehman from Peshawar earned the distinction of scoring AJGL’s first ‘Hole in One’. In his speech as chief guest, Gen Hilal (R) pointedly praised two distinct aspects of golf that had achieved a credible level of success during his tenure as President PGF. Firstly, he singled out the achievements of Dr Asma Afzal Shami, the ex-Chairperson Ladies Golf, PGF, by stating, “In a short span of four years, Dr Asma, along with her lady colleagues, changed the very stature of Ladies Golf in Pakistan, taking it from its previous ‘subsidiary category’ to the unimaginable ‘International Level’, culminating in the historic 1st PGF Ladies International Golf Championship in which seven foreign teams participated.” “I have full faith in this partnership of Dr Shami, who has proven her mettle in Ladies Golf on the administrative side and Munazza, an IT expert and a distinction holding Referee, on the technical side. Within a few years, Inshallah, the AJGL will be producing our best golfers ready to compete at the National and International Levels!” In their concluding remarks, Dr Shami and Munazza Shaheen, both lauded the exceptional role played by Secretary BGCG&C, Brig Saeed Dar. To quote Dr Shami, “This event could not have been held without the wholehearted support and invaluable advice that was extended by him to us. We are particularly grateful to BGCG&C for its generosity in being such a gracious, sole sponsor of this Match.”

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Defending champion local golfer Waheed Baloch retained the title of the Bank AL Habib’s Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament 2023 that concluded here at the Karachi Golf Club (KGC) on Sunday. Waheed Baloch from KGC with gross of 277, 11 under par score reclaimed the trophy on the final day of the 4-day fixture. Mohammad Shehzad who scored 278, 10 under par got second position while top national player Mohammad Shabbir occupied third place with a score of 279, 9 under par. On first day of junior category competition, 14 years old Ashass Amjad while teeing off at 13th hole of Blue Course achieved a hole-in-one. The leader in this category was Mohammad Sahil. Ashass Amjad stood runner-up in Junior’s category on the leaderboard. Bank Al Habib rewarded a brand new Toyota car to Ashass. The Senior Professional Category trophy was clinched by Mohammad Tariq while Mohammad Akram was the runner up. Abdul Waheed, Latif Khaskheli and Saleem Inayat took top three positions in the KGC Senior Professionals category. They scored 78, 81 and 82 respectively. Nooruddin won trophy in the KGC Professionals category, with Iqbal Masih as runner-up. A trio of Abdullah, Jalil and Zubair is holding third position jointly in this category. In the KGC Caddies category, Tariq Kamal carded 11 over par and became new title holder. The runner-up Sabir Akbar is three points behind him. Third position in this category is a three-way tie between Mohammad Javed, Nabeel Khan and Zakir Ali with 15 over par. The aggregated prize money of the tournament this year was PKR 10 million that was paid according to Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) regulations. Amount included PKR 7.95m for Best Performers in National Professional Category, PKR 1.4m for KGC Professionals, Caddies and Senior Pros, as well as Appearance Money of PKR 650,000. The appearance money was distributed amongst the top three Professionals were included Mohammad Shabbir Iqbal, Mohammad Alam and Mohammad Munir and top three Senior Professionals included Mohammad Tariq, Tahir Naseem and Mohammad Akram as per PGF current ranking. Chief guest at the closing ceremony was Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Pakistan Navy- Admiral Mohammad Amjad Khan Niazi NI (M), HI(M), SI(M), SBt who presented trophies and award money to winners. PNS Chief appreciated the role of Abbas D. Habib family and Bank AL Habib in promotion of Golf in Pakistan.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Local golfer Mohammad Zubair fired 69, 3 under par score to lead on day-3 with his total gross 206, 10 under par score in the 3rd Round of Bank AL Habib’s 12th Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament 2023 here at the Karachi Golf Club (KGC) on Saturday. Mohammad Zubair from KGC fired 69, 3 under par to lead on third day with his gross 206, 10 under par. Defending champion Waheed and second day leader Mohammad Shehzad were crawling with two strokes deficit at 208, eight under par. Waheed Baloch played 71, one under par and only saved by his performances from previous two days. Matloob Ahmed smashed 67, five under par to form a trio of third lead with Aamir Khan, and Mohammad Shabbir Iqbal with joint gross of 211, five under par. Today’s brightest accomplishment however, was in Junior Professional category when 14 years old Ashas Amjad while teeing off at 13th hole of Blue Course achieved a hole-in-one. Ashas Amjad stood fifth in Junior category leaderboard with a gross of 81, nine over par. Bank Al Habib will reward Ashas with a brand new Toyota car. The first rounds of Junior and Senior Professional Categories were played on Saturday. Mohammad Sahil earned 38, two over par in Red and 36 at par at Blue to lead on first day with gross of 74, two over par. Musa Khan was following him with gross of 76, four over par. Duo of Jawad Ahmed and Mohammad Waqas was at third spot with gross of 78, six over par. In the Senior Professional Category, Mohammad Tariq and Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed were first day’s leaders with joint gross score of 68, four under par. Pervez Khan was close with 69, three under par, followed by Chaudhry Asghar Ali- 70, two under par.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Mohammad Shehzad earned a vital lead on Day-II of the Bank AL Habib’s 12th Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament 2023 was played on Friday here at the Karachi Golf Club (KGC). Mohammad Shehzad who tied lead with six other on day one, shot 67, five under par and maintained lead to second day with a gross of 136, eight under par. Mohammad Zubair and Defending Waheed Baloch were his close challengers with joint score of 68, four under par. Pakistan’s Ace golfer Shabbir Iqbal was sharing the second day’s third position with Ashiq Hussain by carding a joint gross of 140, four under. Waheed Baloch, Mohammad Shehzad and Mohammad Zubair started well on second day. Waheed started with four birdies on red course but on blue side his single bogie stopped him from lead. Mohammad Shehzad started from blue and carded one under par. Shehzad’s four birdies on the red side helped him to lead on second day. Mohammad Zubar shot three under on blue side and one birdie on red side. After the cut on second day, 40 Professionals will participate on Saturday till the final round. Competitions for Senior and Junior Professionals will also start from Saturday.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: The first Round of Bank AL Habib’s 12th Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament 2023 teed off here at the Karachi Golf Club (KGC) on Thursday. Defending Champion Waheed Baloch, Pakistan’s Ace Golfer Shabbir Iqbal, Mohammad Zubair, Zahir Shah, Mohammad Shehzad and Asad Khan shared 69, three under par, and were jointly leading on first day. Khalid Khan, Ashiq Hussain and Matloob Ahmed were a stroke behind with a score of 70, two under par. Pakistan’s Ace Golfer Mohammad Shabbir Iqbal started an amazing round in Red Course and played four under par. Shabbir played one over at the Blue side. Waheed Baloch started from Blue Course and played one under. His two under at the red helped his place with the first day leaders. Zubair at the Red played 36 par but did three under par after completing the blue side. Young Asad Khan also displayed good round of 32, four under par at Red Course but played one over par at Blue.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Over 100 top national golfers will take part in the Bank AL Habib’s 12th Rashid D. Habib Memorial National Professional Golf Tournament, which will tee off on Thursday (January 19, 2023) here at the Karachi Golf Club (KGC). The final round will be played on Sunday at the same venue. According to an official, more than hundred top golfers will compete in the Professionals category for the most coveted four-day national trophy of the annual Golf season. Last year, Waheed Baloch of KGC carded 278, 10 under par, had won the title while Mohammad Shabbir Iqbal of Islamabad and Mohammad Munir of Rawalpindi were placed on 2nd and 3rd position respectively. Prior to this event, a two-day match for local KGC Professionals, Senior Professionals and KGC Caddies, the 22nd edition of Rashid D. Habib Memorial Golf Tournament, will be played on 17th and 18th January, with the aim to support and develop professional golf at KGC. The total Prize Money of PKR 10 million includes PKR 7.95m for Best Performers in National Professional Category, aggregate PKR 1.4m for KGC Professionals, Caddies and Senior Pros, as well as Appearance Money of PKR 650,000. The Appearance Money is distributed amongst the top five Professionals and top three Senior Professionals, as per PGF current ranking. The lucky players achieving first hole-in-one will also be rewarded with a Toyota Corolla and a Suzuki Alto in national and local categories respectively.

Sports Bulletin Report KARACHI: Ace Golfer Mohammad Shabbir has clinched the title of the 42nd Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Open Golf Championship with a gross score of 278 ten under par that concluded here at Airmen Golf Club & Recreational Park, Korangi Creek on Sunday. Mohammad Alam claimed the second position with 285 scores while the third position was achieved by Hamza Taimur Amin and Mohammad Zubair jointly with a gross score of 288. Air Marshal Hamid Rashid Randhawa, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Administration), PAF was the chief guest at the occasion. He congratulated the winners and appreciated the management committee & officials of Airmen Golf Course for making the event a huge success. Over 300 golfers took part in the championship which was played over 18 holes for five days at one of the most challenging golf courses of the country. Chief of the Air Staff Open Golf Championship was introduced in 1977 and ever since has been a regular feature in Pakistan Golf Federation (PGF) and Pakistan Air Force (PAF) annual sports calendars.