LAHORE - Karachi Basketball Club beat strong Mamba Squad Basketball Club by 54-42 to emerged as champions of the Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai SSB Cup Basketball Tournament 2021 that concluded at International Abdul Nasser Basketball Court Aram Bagh, Karachi.
According to KBBA President Ghulam Muhammad Khan, both the finalists were off to a flying start and matched fire-with-fire till the end but Karachi Club played better basketball and emerged as crowned champions. From the winning side, Daniel Ahmed (16), Zain Tanveer (8), Abdullah Imam (8) and Raj Kumar Lakhwani (7) excelled while from runners-up, Taha Khan (18), Kenneth Johnson (10) and Umar Khan (10) played well.
At the prize distribution ceremony, Kashmiri Leader Ghulam Abbas Jamal Advocate was the chief guest, who along with Sindh Olympic Association Secretary Ahmed Ali Rajput and SJAS Secretary Asghar Azeem, distributed trophies and individual prizes among the winners and runners-up. KBBA President GM Khan, Secretary Tariq Hussain, M Yaqoob, Asad Ibad Ali, Victor, Talha Amjad and other sports personalities were also present there.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest announced that Kashmir Cup in 2022 will be sponsored by his law firm. SOA Secretary Ahmed Ali Rajput said that SOA in association with KBBA will hold Sindh Inter Division Basketball Tournament next year. SJAS Secretary Asghar Azeem paid rich tributes to the KBBA for its continuous efforts for the promotion of the game and announced to organize a workshop on basketball in January 2022 in association with the KBBA.
The speakers also paid rich tribute to great Sufi Saint Shah Abdul Latif Bhattai saying, “The thought and philosophy of King Abdul Latif Bhattai is a message of peace, unity, solidarity and love.” KBBA President Ghulam Muhammad Khan said that beautiful basketball courts have been constructed in Shereen Jinnah Colony by South Municipality, which will be inaugurated next week by Administrator Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab.
Akhtar Inayat Bhargari expressed his gratitude for the full cooperation in organizing the tournament. Zafar Iqbal, Amir Sharif and Ashraf Yahya officiated the final match while the technical officials were Zaeema Khatun, Naeem Ahmed, Mumtaz Ahmed and Michael Turner.