Belgian Ambassador, Michel Goffin and his wife, Meagen Baldwin hosted a glamorous dinner recently at their Islamabad residence followed by an entertainment show, aiming to generate funds for a new Margalla Tennis Club in sector, F-6/3. The ceremony, somehow formal in nature was well panned and a rare delight for the invitees due to the hospitality of the hosts.
The atmosphere prevailed extremely welcoming and cordial with around seventy guests through the evening held in the beautiful garden of the Ambassador's residence.
The Margalla Tennis Club, stretched on land overlooking the scenic park next to the First street was founded by late Etzaz Azim in the early eighties, during a time when sports facilities were very few in such surroundings.. The park is indeed an expansive establishment, still stands on that location today.
Azim's legacy is today carried on by individuals like Sikandar Ajum, Nighat Saeed, Meagen Baldwin, Shirin Mazari and his son, Shahid Azim who manage and operate the Margalla Tennis Club with the same zeal and enthusiasm as it's founder.
Prominent among the dignitaries attending the dinner were former Federal Ministers, Anwar Saifullah Khan and Dr GG Jamal, the Egyptian Ambassador, Hussein Kamel Haridy, Bosnian Ambassador, Damir Dzanko and Dzanko.
Other prominent guests include Italian Defence Attache, Colonel. Antonio Pennino, Shirin Mazari, Director General of the ISSI, Dr Tabish Hazir, Ali Qadir Gailani of PTCL, Amer Chughtai of Citibank, Irfan Wahab Khan of Telenor, socialite Zulfiqar Haider Khan, playwright Sohail Malik and his wife, designer Shayan Malik and members of the Margalla Tennis Club. The club President, Sikandar Ajum presented a visual demonstration on activities of the Club.
Later gifts were given to nominated individuals from every table followed by an art auction of an oil painting by renown Pakistani artist, Raja Najm-ul-Hassan and an exquisite ladies evening gown sponsored by Nighat Saeed.
Nasir Ali Khan of Focus Optics and his wife, Mehreen Khan won the painting through auction and the dress west to Meagen Baldwin, the Belgian Ambassador's wife. The invitees also enjoyed bonfire in elaborate outdoor settings.
Poonam Ayub, a visitor from Cairo, Natasha Kazmi of Global and newlyweds Alamgir and Salza Shah were seen appreciating the music. While in the indoor, Amir Munawar, Media Advisor enthralled a group of guests by his own compositions. Later, each of the guests was presented a beautifully wrapped Margalla Tennis Club mug filled with chocolates and toffees.