The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) arranged a ceremony at Karachi to celebrate 55 years of Wapda Sports Board. International Cricket Council (ICC) President, Pakistan cricket team former captain and legendary cricketer Zaheer Abbas was the chief guest of the ceremony. Wapda Chairman Zafar Mahmood, Wapda Sports Advisor Shafqat Rana, a number of renowned players, office bearers of various sports federations and associations and senior officers of Wapda Sports Board also attended the ceremony.
Addressing on the occasion, the Chairman said that Wapda has been playing a pivotal role for promotion of sports and betterment of players in Pakistan since inception of Wapda Sports Board. He said that the objective of today's interaction with the media persons is to apprise them about Wapda's achievements in sports, which it earned during the last 55 years. He expressed the hope that media will support Wapda to inform the people about the services of Wapda, it has been rendering to sports and players in the country. He said that Wapda has its teams in all those sports being played in the country. There are Wapda women teams in most of sports disciplines as well, but a few of them are yet to be set up, which will be established as early as possible, he announced.
The Chairman said that Wapda has introduced four initiatives in sports as its corporate social responsibility namely 'Wapda Endowment Fund for Sports' to elevate the standard of sports in Pakistan, 'Wapda Athletics Colts' to promote athletics in the country, 'Focus on Fielding & Fitness' and 'T-12 Cricket' to improve the fielding in Pakistan's cricket.
Earlier, Wapda Sports Board Director General Colonel Asif Mehdi (Retd) briefed the audience about the achievements of Wapda sports during the last 55 years. He informed them that Wapda has 58 teams in all - 35 men and 23 women. At present Wapda is National Champion in 27 sports and runners-up in 19 disciplines. Wapda players bagged more than 10 thousand medals at national level during the period. Besides, Wapda players representing Pakistan in various international events since 2006, have also won 45 gold medals, 56 silver medals and 47 bronze medals for the country.
Later, Wapda Sports Board Finance Secretary Syed Haroon Masood briefed the audience about new initiatives of Wapda in sports. Highlighting the performance of the players who were groomed through Wapda Endowment Fund for Sports, he said that positive outcome of this scheme which was started in 2010, has started arriving. The players, who were trained under Wapda Endowment Fund for Sports have so far won two gold medals, three silver medals and two bronze medals in international competitions for Pakistan, he added.-PR