Multan: The First Junior South Punjab Independence Day Karate Championship was held here at the Sports Gymnasium Hall, with the participation of nine teams from different cities of South Punjab. The championship was organized by the District Karate Association Multan in collaboration with the Sports Department Multan and Shotokan Karate Centre.
Teams from Multan, including Shotokan Karate Centre, Al-Fida Memorial Shotokan Karate Centre, Shafqat Memorial Shotokan Karate Centre, Muhammad Bin Taufiq Memorial Shotokan Karate Academy and Multan Shotokan Karate Centre, participated in the event.
Teams from Marloz Karate Centre Ahmedpur East, Super Gold Karate Centre Bahawalpur, Fareedi Writers DG Khan and White Falcon Shotokan Karate Kahroor Pakka also took part in the championship. District Sports Officer Multan Adnan Naeem was the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony. He formally inaugurated the championship and welcomed all participating teams, players and officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Adnan Naeem said that sports activities had been initiated as part of the Independence Day celebrations in accordance with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He said the karate championship was an important part of these activities and would provide young players with an opportunity to showcase their talent.
General Secretary District Karate Association Multan Khalid Haleem Mirza served as the chief organizer of the championship. The management committee comprised Sher Afzal Ansari, Khalid Imran, Prof Azhar Alvi and Mansoor Javed.
Referee and technical panel included Ayan Azim Mirza, Farrukh Sajjad, Faiz Rasool Nizami, Mustafeed, Saadia Iqbal, Akasha, Roman Ali and Nauman Ali. The closing ceremony was attended by Haji Amir Manzoor Ansari, Chief Executive of Amir Foods and ticket-holder of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Multan City, as the chief guest.
Addressing the ceremony, Haji Amir Manzoor Ansari appreciated the young karate players for their enthusiasm and performance. He said he would always stand by the players for the promotion of healthy and positive activities, stressing that such sporting events should be organized regularly.
He also appreciated the efforts of organizers and assured them of his continued support for promoting sports and encouraging young talent in South Punjab. During the closing ceremony, Haji Amir Manzoor Ansari distributed medals and certificates among the outstanding performers. Special awards were also presented to position holders, officials and members of the technical team in recognition of their contributions.
The organizers said that a series of such competitions would continue in the future to promote karate in South Punjab, encourage emerging young talent and provide the youth with healthy recreational opportunities.
Meanwhile, as part of the celebrations of the 79th Independence Day of Pakistan, a seminar on the theme of International Youth Day will also be held at the E-Library Sports Complex, Multan.
