PFB president Khawar Shah dies

LAHORE: Baseball Federation Pakistan President and former director general sports Punjab Syed Khawar Shah has breathed his last on Tuesday.

Khawar Shah was recently admitted to hospital and could not survive. He was also president of Punjab Archery Association. His funeral will be held in Jhang on Wednesday. Khawar Shah initiated his career as a divisional sports officer Gujranwala and with time and hard work progressed to the seat of managing director sports board. Later he assumed office as director general sports Punjab.

Khawar Shah with his sole efforts lifted Pakistan baseball to a position now known exceptionally well in the region. He started initiated baseball in the country and struggled hard to promote it in Pakistan. He was first secretary of baseball federation.

As director general sports Punjab, the development projects now being undertaken were his brainchild which could not start at that time due to lack of funds.He was a founder member of baseball in Pakistan and served throughout his life in the Punjab Sports department and retired as Director General Sports Punjab. Due to his contribution not only in Pakistan but at Asian level he was elected director Asian baseball federation. He will always be remembered for his valuable contributions to sport in Pakistan. He organised a number of international baseball events in Pakistan namely South Asia Cups and first SAARC Cup in Islamabad and Lahore.

Pakistan won almost all the baseball events held in Pakistan as the country has attained 22nd ranking in the World and it stands at 5th in Asia amid 34 countries. For the rapid progress of baseball in Pakistan, the Major League organisers of United States invited Pakistan in the World Cup qualifying round held in New York in 2016.

Besides Pakistan, world top teams namely Brazil and England also participated. For his services for the baseball, the Asian body of the game, has appointed him as director of West Asia region. Khawar last international achievement was of hosting Indo-Pak baseball series in UAE last month.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Olympic Association, president Lt. Gen. (rtd.) Arif Hasan, secretary Khalid Mahmood, Punjab Sports Board D.G Aamir Jan,Sports Journalists Association of Lahore, Pakistan Hockey Federation president Brig. Sajjad Khokhar, secretary Shahbaz Senior and ex-Olympian Akhtar Rasool Ch., and Naveed Alam, Punjab Olympic Association secretary Khawaja Idrees, secretary Pakistan Basketball Federation Khalid Bashir condoled the sad demise.Khawer left behind a widow, three sons and four daughters to mourn his death.