Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association holds Sports Gala

SLPAFA President presenting a souvenir to the Pakistan 'A' Team Captain in the presence of the Acting High Commissioner

Cricket teams with the Acting High Commissioner

The Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association, in collaboration with the Pakistan High Commission, organised the 2015 Sports Gala on 10 May at the Malay Cricket Club grounds in Slave Island.

The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Dr. Sarfraz Ahmed Khan Sipra was the Chief Guest at the occasion. President of the Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association Iftikhar Aziz received the guests and delivered his welcome address.

Speaking at the occasion, the Acting High Commissioner stressed the importance of sporting interactions to advance excellent relations between the two countries. He commended the association’s efforts in promoting fraternal relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Some of the event's attendees

The Pakistan ‘A’ cricket team, which is currently visiting Sri Lanka to play a series against the Sri Lanka ‘A’ cricket team, also visited the Sports Gala 2015 along with its manager and coach to watch the activities.

 The Pakistan ‘A’ team comprised Fawad Alam (Captain), Shan Masood, Khurram Manzoor, Umar Siddiq, Umar Amin (vice-captain), Ali Waqas, Usman Salahuddin, Ali Asad, Imad Wasim, Zafar Gohar, Shahzaib Ahmed, Adnan Akmal (wicket-keeper), Mir Hamza, Bilawal Bhatti, Shehzad Azam, Imran Khan, Manager Col. Noshad and Muhammad Akram, Coach. The Sports Gala featured a number of activities including three friendly cricket matches for men’s, women’s and children’s teams.

The event also included various interesting activities like tug of war (Males, Females and Children), breaking the pot, etc.

This event aimed to foster friendship and fellowship amongst the Sri Lankans and the Pakistani Community in Sri Lanka.

The Sports Gala 2015 was attended by members of the Pakistani community in Sri Lanka, members of the Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association and the members of the Malay Cricket Club together with their families. The Sri Lanka Pakistan Friendship Association is one of the oldest friendship associations in Sri Lanka. It was established 65 years ago in 1950. The association has been able to establish itself as a useful platform, dedicated to the promotion of bilateral relations and friendship between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Kids participating in the event