KARACHI: The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) on Tuesday took the lead by offering employment to promising cueist Mohammad Naseem Akhtar, who did the country proud by capturing the world junior under-18 snooker title in Beijing on July 11.

The announcement came from none other then the NBP President Saeed Ahmed at the prize distribution ceremony of a ranking snooker event held under the aegis of the NBP at their sports complex.

It is an irony that no soul, including the games controlling body, has been moved since then to honour and acknowledge the feat of highly talented cueist.

“It’s a humble contribution from the bank aimed at promoting the healthy sport activities and encourage sportspersons in the country, ” he told Dawn.

It is pertinent to mention that the bank had already given employment to five cueists – Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Sajjad, Hamza Akbar, Asjad Iqbal and Mohammad Majid Al to make their ends meet.

The president said the case of Babar Masih, who recently won gold in IBSF team event in Egypt together with Asif, will also be considered.

He added that it’s bank’s endeavour not only to maintain but to enhance its contribution in the field of sports.

The bank recently acknowledged celebrities from all walks of life who have brought laurels to the nation on the Independence Day, he pointed out.

He pledged to go extra mile in line with the traditions set by his predecessors for the uplift of sports by the state owned bank.

The bank president also visited the indoor wooden multipurpose gymnasium and issued instructions for making a basketball court in it.

The bank’s sports chief Ovais Asad Khan, who was also present on the occasion, informed the president that an air-condition plant and exhaust fans will be installed in the gymnasium.

Published in Dawn, August 23rd, 2017