KARACHI: The management of Islamia Club feted their victorious players including girls who shone in the recently-held Karachi Table Tennis Championship at the club premises the other day.

It is pertinent to mention that 11-year-old Hoor Fawad set high standard becoming the youngest-ever women’s singles champion while promising Aahil Shah captured a double crown winning the men’s singles and helping the Club’s outfit win the team event.

Speakers including Japanese guest Naohisa Masuda and former player Asif Ismail paid rich compliments to the present generation of players for carrying forward the Club’s legacy which had produced a galaxy of celebrities who brought laurels to the nation.

Speaking on the occasion Asif recalled it was the financial sector’s support to the game that immensely helped brought fruitful results to the nation.

He regretted that unfortunately the banks and other departments have disbanded their teams long ago that left a number of stars jobless and the talented players now find it difficult to spare more time for game in addition to supporting their families.

He urged upon the cricketer-turned-prime minister Imran Khan that the players were looking to him for the reopening of departmental teams for betterment of sports.

Two-time SAF Games gold medallist and ITTF course conductor Arif Khan who looks after the club after the demise of his father the late Majeed Khan, called upon the youth to fully utilise the premises and his experitise.

He praised all players of the club and urged them to go another mile for better results at the nationals and internationals.

He thanked the two guests and his siblings Farid Khan and Mehboob Khan, both former internationals, for meeting the expenses of reception in cash and kind.

Later the players were awarded mementos and cash prizes of Rs5,000 apiece.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2020