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Pakistan Day Cricket trophy tournament held at Croydon Park Sydney

The Annual Pakistan Day Trophy tape-ball cricket tournament was held on Sunday the 17th of March 2013 at Croydon Park Oval in Western Sydney. Many young Pakistani-Australian youth from all over Sydney participated in the day-long tournament. The cricket began at 10am, matches were played until 5pm and guests arrived at different times throughout the day. The final was tightly contested between Young PAA XI and Where u live XI. Young PAA XI won the final by 4 wickets in the last over. Hasnain “Huskii” Jafri was named man of the match in the final after his stellar performance with both bat and ball. Where u live XI were presented with the runners-up trophy while two of their players collected individual honours. Saqib Qadeer took out the trophies for Best Batsman and Player of the Series while Ali Cheema was awarded Best Bowler. The winner’s trophy for the tournament will be presented to the Young PAA XI at the Pakistan Association of Australia’s Pakistan Day Function on 23rd March at C3 Silverwater.

Formal proceedings were initiated after the conclusion of cricket matches by the master of ceremony Kashif Amjad. He began by introducing the guests and called on Ammaar Mirza to take the stage and deliver a short tilawaat. After this, Kashif gave a short speech on the purpose of the Young Pakistan Association of Australia, which is the youth wing of the Pakistan Association of Australia, and called for a one minute silence to mark the tragedies of sectarian violence in Pakistan.

Once the ceremony was resumed, David Morris (National Director of the Australian Republican Movement) took the stage and delivered a short speech. Mr. Morris congratulated the Young Pakistan Association of Australia and said he was “quite impressed” with their efforts. He also spoke about what it means to be Australian and how our identity is important. Mr. Morris concluded by giving his condolences for the tragic loss of lives in Pakistan during recent times. The next speaker was the Pakistani Consul General, H.E. Azam Mohammed who gave a well-received speech. His Excellency began by recognising the hard work of the Young Pakistan Association of Australia. Mr. Azam Mohammed then went on to speak about the great contribution of Shia Muslims to Pakistan and highlighted the fact that the founding fathers of Pakistan were Shia. The Consul General added that those who attack religious minorities in Pakistan cannot be considered Muslim and have been doing so in order to destabilise our society. H.E. Azam Mohammed concluded his speech by again noting the positive contribution of the Young Pakistan Association of Australia.

Mr. Ifitkhar Rana, President of the Pakistan Association of Australia then took the stage to deliver a quick speech. Mr. Rana said that the Young Pakistan Association of Australia had shown great initiative and that they deserved a warm applause which was duly given by those in attendance. The Pakistan Association President joined the earlier speakers in condemning sectarian violence in Pakistan and said that events like the Pakistan Day Trophy where youth get together from all religious sects showed the togetherness of our community. After Mr. Rana finished his speech, Mr. Abbas Aly Triforce Director and Sponsor of the Pakistan Day Trophy, took the stage to give a small speech for the audience. Mr. Aly acknowledged the work of the Young Pakistan Association and also said that he hoped the tournament next year would be bigger and better. He further stated that fundraising to fight sectarian violence was a great cause and told the audience about his highly successful fundraising lunch hosted earlier in the day at Crowne Plaza Norwest. On the completion of the proceedings, Kashif thanked everybody for their attendance and asked the crowd to join the Pakistan Association on the 23rd of March at C3 Silverwater to celebrate Pakistan National Day.

 

Highlight video including speeches.

 

                  

       

               

               

           

           

           

                

       

      

   

   

For a more comprehensive collection of photos, check out the Young Pakistan Association of Australia Facebook page. www.facebook.com/youngpakassociationaus

 

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