First ever SAARC golf championship commences in Pakistan
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

LAHORE: Lahore will be the hub of top golf activity during the next four-days when SAARC championship being participated by all countries of the region, barring Maldives, will be played tomorrow, Thursday, here at Royal Plam golf and country club.

This was stated by Wing Commander (Retd) Iftikhar A Khan, Secretary, Pakistan Golf Federation at a news conference Wednesday. Also present were C.R.Bakhshi, Secretary of the event, Khalid Alvi, Director Pepsi International, and Jeremy Frankel, General Manager of the country club.

PGF Secretary said it would be the first ever SAARC championship being held in Pakistan since the inception of the event way back in 1999.

He said the participating teams are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Since Maldives does not have a golf course and a team, it is not taking part in the championship.

Iftikhar said Pakistan participated in the inaugural event at Banglore followed by participation in the following edition at Bhaka in 2000 and since then it did not take part in the coming championships played in India due to various reasons. Terming the championship a historic event, he said, it would go a long way in promoting golf in the region besides improving friendly ties and creating goodwill.

Secretary PGF while answering a question said that time has come that Pakistan team to have its name inscribed on the winning trophy. He said Pakistan team has good prospects in the championship as the team is blend of experience and youth.

The event to be played in the championship are: SAARC team trophy, Ladies team trophy, Friendship Cup (over 18 holes).

The ladies Cup will be contested between India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Following are the names of players and officials of the participating teams:

Bangladesh: Mohammad Siddikur Rehman, Mohammad Milon Ahmad, Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain Sohel. Salim Akhtar (manager).

Bhutan: Karrna Rangdol, Ugen Dorgi, Chang Tshering. Dawa Penjore (manager).

India: (Men) Manav Das, Jaskirat Singh Dullet, Simarjeet Singh. Satish Aparajit (manager). (Ladies) Shruti Khanna, Vandana Agarwal.

Nepal: Tashi Ghale, Chuda Bahadur Bhandari, Shiva Ram Shrestha. Vivek SJB Rana (manager). (Ladies) Shastika Shrestha, Pushpa Rai.

Sri Lanka: Lalith Kumara, Tissa Chandradasa, K.Prabagaran. (Manager) Nimal Upali Genegoda. (Ladies) Jacqieline Anysa Dias, Kishani.

Pakistan) Shahid Javed Khan, Vaqas Ahmad, Dr Aimal Zaman. (Manager) Lt Col retd Faasih Ali. (Ladies) Jamila Jabbar, Tahira Nazir.●