KARACHI: The Naya Nazimabad Ramazan Cup Cricket Tournament 2016 offers a record prize money of Rs2 million, including Rs1 million for the winners.
The runners-up would receive Rs0.5 million, said Tournament Director Riazuddin, an international umpire, at the Karachi Gymkhana Banquet Hall on Tuesday.
The event will be getting underway at the Naya Nazimabad Lawai Stadium on June 28.
Arif Habib, Chairman, Arif Habib Group, in his presidential address, shared the vision of his conglomerate which aims to contribute to the promotion of sports in general and cricket in particular in Karachi.
“The Lawai Cricket Stadium in Naya Nazimabad, having floodlights and many other facilities, remains occupied throughout the year. We have also developed a football stadium which will be inaugurated soon. We will be developing a hockey stadium as well soon. An indoor sports complex is also being built next to the cricket ground,” he said.
“Our objective is to make Sports City at Naya Nazimabad, whose facilities could be utilised by the inhabitants of the city,” Arif said.
Speaking on the occasion, Nadeem Omar, Omar Associates Managing Director, expressed his delight at the outstanding facilities at the Lawai Stadium.
“Our team has been playing the Naya Nazimabad Ramazan Cup since its inception and we are thrilled by the atmosphere at the ground. The cricketers have thoroughly enjoyed playing under floodlights,” he said.
Prof Ejaz Ahmed Farooqui, President Karachi City Cricket Association (KCCA), appreciated the endeavours of the Arif Habib Group for the development of cricket facilities. He said these would be helpful in raising the standard of the game.
He commended the organisers of the Naya Nazimabad Ramazan Cup for holding the tournament professionally since its inception three years ago and hoped that the ground would be playing host to the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy soon.
Former Test cricketers Jalaluddin, Shoaib Mohammad, Saleem Yousuf, Ejaz Faqih and Nadeem Khan were also present on the occasion.
National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) have been drawn in the Group A which also has Dollar East, Heroes Cricket Club and Atiq Estate. The quartet of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Eaton Cricket Club and Dawood Sports constitute the Group B.
Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC), Sui Northern Gas Company Limited (SSGPL), Alamgir Gymkhana and Medicam have been placed in the Group C.
The Group D features United Bank Limited (UBL), Omar Associates, K-Electric and Qasmi Cricket Club.