Party poppers flying all over the stage, ‘Stand up for the Champions’ blaring out from the sound system and the Champions MS Kangaroos proudly holding the coveted trophy. These were the moments we all will remember for a long time. Team SSGC is one high precision unit at work, but even on the field, we play hard and with great gusto. And when it comes to celebrating our achievements, we really do know how to party.
On April 28, 2017, the Closing Ceremony of the 3rd SSGC Sports Festival took place at the IBA City Campus Auditorium, marked by presentation of medals and trophies, a spiritual, soul searching moment with trainer Umair Jaliawala, a tribute to Little Master Hanif Mohammad and a humorous Mushaira. It was fitting that the closing ceremony was an exuberant, high spirited and energetic affair, much like the Festival itself.
Shahbaz Islam, AGM (Corporate Communications) and Project Lead of the Festival gave a comprehensive presentation of the event and explained that in every way it was bigger in scope than the first two organized in 2013 and 2014. Through a specially made video, he lauded those executives who impressed everyone with their sheer commitment and resolve.
The program started with the conferring of more than 200 silver, bronze and gold medals to the participants of different sports from the senior management and special guests representing different walks of life. In between, acknowledgment shields were given to the heads of those departments who supported the Corporate Communication Department in organizing the superlative festival.
School of Leadership’s CEO and trainer Umair Jaliawala took the guests on an entrancing journey that helped us dwell deep on the meaning of life. A special tribute was paid to the legacy of the great batsman Hanif Mohammad. On the occasion, Shoaib Mohammad, his son who also had a prolific test career was especially invited to receive the trophy dedicated to the great Little Master. Shoaib gave an emotional speech about his father and added that he was deeply touched by a short video that the Corporate Communications had especially made to pay tribute to late Hanif Mohammad. On the occasion, Sadiq Mohammad, former Pakistan opening batsman and younger brother of Hanif Mohammad, was invited on the stage to join Amin Rajput, Acting MD, SSGC and Shoaib Mohammad to receive the posthumous trophy.
Perhaps the biggest surprise element of the Festival was the conferring of ‘Sportsman of the Tournament’ trophy to Finance Falcons’ Owais Anwar alias Lala. Lala was the most deserving man for the title since he shone in a number of diverse sports including cricket, bowling, 100-meter race, relay race and checkers.
And then came the moment everyone and especially the players were waiting anxiously for. The top three winning teams, starting from the 3rd placed CS Dolphins, then the second placed Finance Falcons and finally the Champions MS Kangaroos made their way, made their way to the stage to receive their trophies from the Acting MD and bask in glory. Applauded by the guests, all the three teams received good natured bantering from the ‘rival’ teams.
In his keynote address, Amin Rajput, Acting MD, applauded the organizers and the participants of the Festival for contributing towards its success. Mr. Rajput praised the Festival theme of ‘Let’s beat UFG together’ and reiterated that if all of them can gel in to put up a grand show, it will not be long before SSGC can control the rising tide of UFG. He especially congratulated MS Kangaroos for becoming the Champions for the second time and praised the sporting and competing spirit of each and every player during the Festival.
The last segment of the evening, prior to the sumptuous dinner was a humorous Mushaira that featured reputed poets Haider Hasnain Jalisi and Uzma Ali Khan. Muhammad A. Gohar, Chief Manager, Corporate Communications hosted the Mushaira. The Master of Ceremony of the event was Syed Imran Ahmed, Chief Manager, Corporate Communications.
In retrospect, the Sports Festival was a wonderful event that provided a platform for SSGC’s executives to gather and express their sprit towards sports. This event was not about being victorious or defeating an opponent rather it was about participation, persistence and passion.