SPORTS DESK:
ISLAMABAD (Stember 25, 2020);-SJAS Gold medal 2020 was won by Karate Queen, Kulsoom Hazara while Dr MA Shah Gold medal was awarded to senior Sports Journalist, Waheed Khan. Senior athletics coach, Mohammad Talib was highlighted with the lifetime achievement award while Haider Hussain bagged the best sports organiser recognition for his outstanding services in the field of Hockey.
The annual “Sports Journalist & Rashid Siddiqui Talent Award” ceremony was held at the Scout headquarters auditorium, on Thursday. The event began with a Seminar on “COVID-19’s impact on Sports”.
Addressing the occasion, adviser to chief minister Sindh on Law, Costal Highway development, Environment and the provincial spokesperson, Barrister Murtaza Wahab said that talent’s appreciation is it’s actual success.
He lauded the efforts of the Sports Journalists Association of Sindh (SJAS) for the betterment and acknowledgement of sports journalists.
Murtaza Wahab paid tribute to the chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for measures taken to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic however urged citizens to remain vigilant because the threat is still looming over heads.
SJAS’ patron Dr Junaid Ali Ali, president Muhammad Asif Khan and Secretary General Muhammad Asghar Azeem presented honorary SJAS membership to Barrister Murtaza Wahab.
Former captain Moin Khan said that abiding by the Covid safety protocols was an example for everyone at the ceremony. He noted that the pandemic impacted sporting activities a great deal however the situation is gradually returning towards normalcy now.
Former provincial sports minister Dr Junaid Ali Shah, former member Board of Governors, PCB Ejaz Farooqi and president Federal Union of Journalists GM Jamali expressed their condolences with the families of those journalists lost lives to COVID-19 and urged the Sindh government to adopt measures for the safety and insurance of the deprived families.
Senior journalists Rishad Mehmood, Mansoor Ali Baig, Mehmood Riaz, Zubair Nazeer Khan, Waheed Khan and SJAS President Muhammad Asif Khan addressed the audience.
Seven prominent athletes, presented with “Rashid Siddiqui Talent award” for prominent performances at the junior level, were Amir Ali (U19 Cricketer), Maaz Khan (Wushu), Marium Rafiq (Judo), Amna Ghayas (Captain, U12 Football), Shahzeb Khan (captain Karachi Hockey team), Azam Khan (cricketer) and Akif Ali (Taekwando).
First Hub Jeep rally woman driver Tushna Patel, Pakistan’s number one Badminton player Mahoor Shehzad, international photographer Nasir Abdullah, senior sport journalist (PTV) Saifur Rehman and cricket encyclopaedia Sohail Khan were accoladed with SJAS especial awards.
Karate Queen, Kulsoom Hazara was honoured with the Gold medal while senior journalist & anchor Waheed Khan was presented with Dr M A Shah Gold medal for his outstanding journalistic services.
The secretary of the Karachi Hockey Association and former Hockey international, Haider Hussain was recognised for his services as organiser while for training thousands of athletes to glories at international stage, athletics coach Talib Hussain was given the lifetime achievement award.
The best anchor (National) Abdul Ghaffar, best anchor (regional) Mujahid Solangi, Best anchor (emerging) Mohsin Mehdi, Best sports editor (English) Rishad Mehmood, best sports editor (Urdu) Mansoor Ali Baig, best senior reporter (electronic media) Faizan Lakhani, best senior reporter (Urdu , print) Tariq Aslam, best reporter (English, print) Umaid Waseem, best emerging reporter Muhammad Osama, best script writer Irshad Ali, best digital media producer award was presented to Shahzeb Ali Bhutto while Muhammad Asif Khan secured the award for outstanding performance.
