Sports Bulletin

Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (November 9, 2021):-Mohammad Aleem has won the A-Day AJ Towers Golf Tournament with Net 61 score that was held at green lush course of Islamabad Golf Club on Sunday. Anser Sheikh claimed second position with 62 score while Ch Haroon remained third with 64 score in an 18 holes competition. Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Senator Shibli Faraz graced the closing ceremony as chief guest and distributed the prizes among the winners. Also, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) AJ Towers Afan Aziz, General Halal Hussain, Korean ambassador Suo Sungpyu, Lt. Gen Umer Hayat, Major General Ather Abbas, Chief Justice Islamabad High Court Ather-un-Minallah attended the ceremony. Results; Amateurs H/C 10-18 (Net Winners) 1st Position: Mohammad Aleem (61) 2nd Position: Anser Sheikh (62) 3rd Position: Ch Haroon (64) Amateurs H/C 10-18 (Gross Winners)  1st Position: Adil Ali Khan (76) 2nd Position: Captain Mohammad Saleem (77) 3rd Position: Jaudat Ayaz (77) Amateurs H/C 9 & Blew (Gross Winners)  1st Position: Dr Khushal (74) 2nd Position: Tariq Akbar (75) 3rd Position: Dr Ali Haider (78) Ladies (Gross Winners): 1st Position: Salza Alamgir (91) 2nd Position: Maleeha Elahi (93) 3rd Position: Dr jareda (107) Subsidiaries: Maximum Golfing: Shahryar Ansari Closest to Pin: Muzamil Hussain (Hole-5) Longest Drive: Yasir Ali Tipu (Hole-18)

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL Islamabad (October 3, 2021):-As many as 80 golfers participated in the Moawin Foundation (MF) Golf Tournament that was taken place at Margalla Greens Golf Club (MGGC), Islamabad aiming to raise the funds for vulnerable children of remote areas of Pakistan. The tournament was played over 18 holes in categories of Amateurs, Ladies, and Juniors’. The chief guest of the event was Admiral Mohammad Amjad Khan Niazi NI (M). Guests of the event included Chairman Moawin Foundation Admiral (R) Asif Sandila, Syed Wadood Wasti, Zonal Head Northern Zone Bank Al Habib Limited, Air Commodore (R) Nasir Ali Hamdani and Hamid Ali Khan. Moawin Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded by former Chief of Naval Staff Admiral (R) Asif Sandila in 2014 with a vision to enhance the quality of Education in Pakistan and improve the condition of government schools. Currently, Moawin Foundation is running 103 schools across Pakistan; cities include Sheikhupura, Jhelum, Islamabad, Karachi and some schools of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit Baltistan regions. Moawin Foundation through different projects is improving the Infrastructure of schools, providing training to teacher and introducing modern teaching techniques in schools to improve the quality of education in Pakistan. In his address, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Mohammad Amjad Khan Niazi NI (M) lauded the efforts of Moawin Foundation for supporting the noble cause of education and provision of skill development training programs in the remote areas of Pakistan. Speaking at the occasion, Admiral Asif Sandila, Chairman Moawin Foundation, briefed the participants about the history of Moawin Foundation and he also shared the ongoing programs of the Foundation. At the end, the prizes were awarded to the winners and runner-ups of the competition. The Longest Drive was 286 yards and awarded to Cdre Imran Ifthikhar. The closest to Pin was awarded to Maj (R) Masood Latif with 2’ 9’’. Ami Qin and Ayesha Fouzan were awarded winners of the ladies category and Shahnaz Salim and Faranaz Bajwa were the Runner up Team. In the Junior Category Abdullah Khalid and Saad Rana were the winners while Irtaza Hussain and Shayan Zia were awarded runner-ups. In the Men Category team of Brig Khalid Abbasi and Brig Mohammad Ahmad won. Furthermore, 1st Runner of the Men Category was awarded to Umair Saleem and Bilal Tariq followed by 2nd runner-up Category was awarded Cdr Tipu and Shehryar Ali Khan. At the end shields were distributed to the representatives of Bank Al Habib Private Limited, who sponsored the event at Margalla Green Golf Club.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL Islamabad (October 2, 2021):-Federal Golf Association (FGA)has elected its new office bearers for the next four years terms in the Annual General Meeting (AGM) that was held at Islamabad Club. It is pertinent to mention here that four golf clubs including Federal Golf Association namely Islamabad Club Golf Course (ICGC), Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Margalla Green's Golf Course (MGGC) and Gardens City Golf Club were the part of the AGM. All the people were elected unopposed unanimously and would work till 2025 for the promotion of the game in the capital city Islamabad.  Zahid Arbab got the responsibilities of president while I N Khokhar will perform the duties of secretary. A lady member is also part of the elected body. Names of the elected office bearers: Zahid  Arbab (President), Amir Mir (Senior Vice President), Group Captain Imran Khan (Vice President), I N Khokhar (Secretary),Javad Iqbal (Joint Secretary), Mohammad Khan Durrani (Treasurer), Aisha Fouzan (Lady Member) and Mohammad Akhtar (Professional).

Abdul Jabbar Faisal Islamabad (September 22, 2021):-The 14th Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Amateur Golf Cup will tee off from Thursday (September 22) at Margalla Greens Golf Club, Islamabad under the banner of Pakistan Navy. Commander North  Rear Admiral Masood Khurshid told to media while unfolding the details of the three-day golf fixture said, “Pakistan Navy has always actively pursued the cause of nurturing various sports activities at national level. Similarly Pakistan Navy also encourages players, both from within the service as well as outside, to take part in sports events and raise the overall standard of sports at national and international levels. Golf is also a sport which is gaining more and more popularity in Pakistan. Pakistan Navy is doing its part in promoting regularly holding national and international golf events, “he added. “Pakistan Navy is going to stage CNS Amateur Cup at Margalla Greens Golf Club. It is an annual feature of both PGF and Pakistan Navy sports calendar. The first CNS Amateur Golf Cup of the series was conducted in 2007 and since then PN has been hosting this Tournament every year except year 2020 when it could not be conducted due to the pandemic. This year's event would be 14th version of CNS Amateur Golf Cup and 10th to be played at MGGC, “He maintained. The CNS Amateur Golf Cup consists of four major categories as under:  1. Men Amateur Match that will be played over 54 holes with 18 holes played each day from 24th to 26th September 2021. Men amateurs with handicap 12 and below will participate in the match. 2. Ladies Amateurs will be played over 36 holes with 18 holes each day on 25th and 2691 September 2021. Lady Amateurs with handicap 30 and below would compete in this category. 3. Seniors Amateur Match will be played over 36 holes with 18 holes each day on 23rd and 24th September 2021. Seniors of the age of 55 and above with handicap 14 and below are eligible to play. 4. Juniors Amateur Match will play over 18 holes on 23rd September 2021 and young boys and girls under the age of 19 with handicap 24 and below will compete in this category. In addition to main categories, an invitational match for the invited guests and sponsors over 9 holes would also be conducted on 26th September 2021.

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.