Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Abdul Sattar Edhi Memorial Squash Championship started at PAF Hashim Khan Squash Complex on Monday.

KP Junior Age Group Squash Championship named after great humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi are organised by Late Abdul Sattar Edhi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Squash Association.

Dr. Mehmood of the Edhi Foundation Pakistan Peshawar Chapter was the chief guest on this occasion who formally inaugurated the Championship in which a total of 96 players are taking part in three different categories Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15.

Former World Champion, while welcoming the guest and players, said that he has special love for late Abdul Sattar Edhi. “I am greatly inspired from the struggle and work for the humanity late Abdul Sattar Edhi made,” Qamar Zaman added.

“I always follow him the way, he struggle with just one cause to serve the humanity,” Qamar Zaman said while paying tribute to Abdul Sattar Edhi. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Squash Association is very exciting unite of Pakistan Squash Federation and that is why it consecutive winning the President trophy for the third consecutive years.

He said naming the Championship after Abdul Sattar Edhi is only to pay tribute to him and his services he had rendered during his whole life.

Qamar Zaman said his name would always be in our memories. He expressed the hope that Abdul Sattar Edhi mission to serve the humanity would be continued without any break.

In his speech, Dr. Mehmood lauded the efforts being put in by KP Squash Association by naming the Championship after Abdul Sattar Edhi. He assured that Edhi Foundation Pakistan in the supervision of Faisal Edhi would continue to serve the people without any discrimination.

He termed the Championship a key to aware the younger generation about late Abdul Sattar Edhi struggle, services for the humanity and love for the poor people. He expressed the hope that people would follow the footprint of late Abdul Sattar Edhi in loving the ailing humanity. He said late Edhi would always be remembered in our heart and we would continue following his struggle.

Earlier, Dr. Mehmood Khan hit a short by formally inaugurating the Championship. On this occasion one minute silence was also observed by all the players, guests and spectators to pay great homage to late Abdul Sattar Edhi.

In the opening match top seed of the Under-13 category Asad Ullah beat Noor Zaman by 3-2 after a tough battle lasted for 49 minutes, the score was 10-12, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8 and 11-9.

At the end, Qamar Zaman awarded Championship shield to Dr. Mehmood while Dr. Mehmood presented a book title biography of late Abdul Sattar Edhi to former World Champion Qamar Zaman.

Squash Coach of Pakistan Sports Board Shehzad Mohib, Chief Referee Munawar Zaman, former squash player Dr. Abid, players, officials and large number of spectators were also present. The finals of the all the age group categories of the Championship will be played on Thursday.