ISLAMABAD - OGDCL Sports Board vice president Ajmal Sabir promised to lend helping hand to all sports and establish OGDCL teams and provide employment to deserving players in the best possible fashion.
Ajmal Sabir, who is also captain of Islamabad Tigers national veterans’ team, expressed these views during an interview with The Nation. He said: “We have already extended cooperation to Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and released Rs 10 million for conducting 5-a-side floodlight hockey tournament, which was held in Ramazan in Lahore, while we have also established badminton and table tennis teams and Pakistan’s top 30 ranked players are our employees. We have decided to gradually extend cooperation to other sports as well.”
Ajmal said he was founding secretary of OGDCL Sports Board and grateful to have very sports loving Managing Director Zahid Mir and OGDCL Sports Board president Abdul Rauf Khajjak, who were keen sports lover. “We are planning to establish OGDCL hockey team soon to help the national game flourish again and climb back to same old glory days. We have also plan of forming of departmental cricket team.
“Cricket is my passion and I am actively involved in Islamabad cricket affairs for the last two decades in different capacities. Presently, I am Islamabad Cricket Association (ICA) executive committee member and also tournament committees’ member for the last 16 years. I am Pakistan Rowing Federation (PRF) executive committee member and also president of Muslim Cricket Club and secretary of Asif Memorial Club, which had produced Test and international cricketers like Rao Iftikhar Anjum, Raheel Majeed, Shoaib Khaliq, M Irfan, Junaid Nadir and Ali Imran,” he added.
“I have also tried to contribute in noble causes, as I was manager of Pakistan Cricket Association for Physically Handicapped (PCAPH) during Afghanistan disabled team visit. I was also member technical committee of Islamabad SAF Games. I am running clubs at Bhutto Cricket Ground for last several years without any monthly donation from players or anyone else and providing cricket gears, balls, bats and other equipments to the deserving players from my own pocket,” he added.
He said: “My son Ali Imran, who recently was declared the best all-rounder of 1st Mayor Cup Islamabad Cricket Tournament, donated his brand new motorbike to a highly deserving 13-year old cricketer, who couldn’t afford to travel distance on foot. Ali Imran is a top quality cricketer and knocing at the selectors’ doors with his brilliant performances, now its upto selectors, when they pick such a shinning star for the national team.
“In my personal capacity, I will contribute as much as I can whenever a genuine talent is recommended. My doors are always open for needy athletes and I will never hesitate in helping them out and continue to contribute for the promotion of sports across the country,” Ajmal concluded.