KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Labour, Human Resource and Social Protection, Saeed Ghani said that the return of the National Games to Sindh after 18 years is highly welcomed.
More than 11,000 athletes from across Pakistan are currently in Karachi, competing across multiple disciplines of the National Games 2025.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the table tennis events on Sunday— held at Islamia Club Karachi under the banner of the 35th National Games 2025— Ghani said that the opening ceremony, inaugurated by the PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at the National Stadium, was “historic and unforgettable.” He added that the closing ceremony on 13 December would also be a memorable occasion.
The ceremony was attended by Sindh Sports and Youth Affairs Secretary Munawar Ali Mahesar, Chairman Sindh Table Tennis Association Qamar Ali Gilani, Pakistan Table Tennis Federation’s Ejaz Ali, Organising Secretary Mohsin Raza, Sarwar Ali and others, who welcomed the provincial minister.
Ghani expressed delight at joining the inaugural ceremony, praising the participation of 11 women’s teams and 12 men’s teams in the table tennis tournament, including young girls, whom he described as “deserving of appreciation.”
He said the National Games are a positive national tradition that should be held annually, regardless of the host province. Regular events, he said, allow boys, girls, and young athletes across Pakistan—irrespective of their chosen sport—to showcase and improve their skills before national and international audiences. Such encouragement, he noted, ultimately enables them to represent Pakistan globally with pride.
Highlighting the scale of the event, Ghani reiterated that more than 11,000 athletes are competing at various grounds, sports complexes and clubs across Karachi, and called on citizens to attend the events they are interested in to support the players.
Veteran table tennis players—including Arif Khan, Arif Nakhuda, Saleem Ahmed Sheikh, Rubina Arif, Seema Kaleem, Nazo Tahir, Zahid Danewala and Mohammad Nakhuda—were also present. At the end of the ceremony, the Sindh Table Tennis Association presented the traditional Sindhi ajrak and commemorative shields to Minister Saeed Ghani and Secretary Munawar Ali Mahesar.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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