By Ijz
PESHAWAR, Apr 06 (APP):Like all across the world, the World Table Tennis Day with the theme for this year was “Table Tennis for All” was observed under the aegis of Afsar Table Tennis Foundation and Directorate of Sports KP and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Table Tennis Association here at Qayyum Sports Complex on Saturday.
Senior Sports Journalist and President Sports Writers Association Ijaz Ahmad Khan Daudzai was the chief guest on this occasion.
International Table Tennis Coach and head of Afsar Table Tennis Foundation Afsar Ali, Nadir Khawjah, father of international table tennis players Fahad Khawjah and Ummam Khawjah, Secretary KP Table Tennis Association Kifayat Ullah, more than 100 male and female players of all ages were also present by enjoying the love of Table Tennis.
As desired by World Table Tennis Federation, International Table Tennis Federation, the day was celebrate with great enthusiasm. For the smooth sailing of the World Table Tennis Day celebration, the day was also carrying varieties of programs for the fun of players present on this occasion.
Like the theme for this year “Table Tennis for All”, mini-table tennis, cross table tennis, E2 table tennis, table tennis painting, table tennis logo making, table marathon, colorful other events, fire work and a cake cutting ceremony was also part of the day in which more than 150 male and female players participated.
President Sports Writers Association Ijaz Ahmad Khan formally inaugurated the Day by cutting a big cake inscribe with World Table Tennis Day Theme (Table Tennis for All and for everywhere).
He said a big cake cutting ceremony would also be organized on this occasion wherein players would also be provided table tennis gears and T-shirts.
Table tennis is not only a matter of competition, it is also a vehicle for positive social change, a healthy worthwhile use of leisure time and an opportunity to bring people together, an excellent tool for social inclusion, Afsar Ali added.
Ijaz Ahmad Khan Daudzai on this occasion, in his motivational speech urged upon the youth to take active part in different sports activities including table tennis in which most of the world countries are the members of the International Table Tennis Federation.
He said such like activities would give a good message of peace to the rest of the world. He said Pakistan has great achievements in sports and has a dignified status among world communities. He also appreciated Afsar of Afsar Foundation for his vibrant approach toward the promotion of table tennis in Pakistan besides extending support to the need and poor players as far as much expensive table tennis gears are concerned.
Ijaz Ahmad also promised to talk to the Deputy DG Azam Dar for allowing a mini-space for setting up a single table tennis table for the international players in the main hall of the PSB Coaching Center to continue their uninterrupted practice.
He disclosed that if the overage players has been allowed to play their why not a pace should be given to the upcoming international table tennis players in the PSB Coaching Center. Ijaz Ahmad said sport has a unique value where people from different ages, gender, skills or physical condition can play together.
