HYDERABAD: The LASEFA Open Girls Tape Ball Cricket Tournament, organized by Friends Table Tennis Club in connection with the celebrations of Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day, concluded at Dialdas Club, Hyderabad, with a strong message of women’s empowerment and the importance of providing girls with greater opportunities to participate in sports.
The tournament was inaugurated by Senior Vice Chairman Hyderabad SITE Association of Trade & Industry, Amir Shahab, along with Muhammad Shahid Qaimkhani, CEO LASEFA Foods and President Friends Table Tennis Club.
The closing ceremony was attended by Superintendent Engineer HESCO, Aqeel Noor Muhammad, as the Guest of Honour. Nawaz Junejo, General Manager LASEFA Foods; Imran Khanzada, Superintendent Hyderabad Railway Station; and Furqan Ahmed Lodhi, Secretary General, Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders & Small Industry (HCSTSI), were also present on the occasion, along with other distinguished guests and sports enthusiasts.
Secretary Friends Table Tennis Club, Qaseem Qureshi, warmly welcomed the guests and presented them with traditional Sindhi cultural gifts as a gesture of hospitality and respect.
Addressing the closing ceremony, Guest of Honour Aqeel Noor Muhammad appreciated the organizers for providing young girls with a platform to participate in competitive sports. He said that sporting activities play an important role in building confidence, discipline, teamwork, and leadership qualities among young people. He particularly appreciated the initiative of organizing a dedicated girls’ cricket tournament and said that such activities should be encouraged on a regular basis so that talented female players can receive opportunities to develop their skills and represent Hyderabad at higher levels. He congratulated the participating teams and players for their enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
Aqeel Noor Muhammad distributed the prizes among the successful teams. The winning team received a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 the runner-up team was awarded Rs. 25,000 while the team securing third position received Rs. 15,000 along with other awards and prizes.
He congratulated Muhammad Shahid Qaimkhani, CEO LASEFA Foods and President Friends Table Tennis Club, and Qaseem Qureshi, Secretary of the Club, for successfully organizing the tournament and creating a healthy and encouraging sporting platform for girls.
Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Shahid Qaimkhani said that the primary objective of organizing the tournament was to promote women’s empowerment and ensure equal opportunities for girls in sports. He said that eight teams participated in this year’s tournament, demonstrating the growing interest and talent among young female cricketers. He expressed hope that the tournament would become a regular feature of Hyderabad’s sporting calendar and that more teams and young players would participate in future editions.
The guests appreciated the efforts of Friends Table Tennis Club and LASEFA Foods for organizing the tournament and providing girls with an opportunity to showcase their talent.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
Comments