Report: Hurish Shah
RAWALPINDI –The Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA) held a dignified ceremony at the Media Centre of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to honour senior sports journalist and RISJA Chairman Shakeel Ahmed Awan for completing 40 years of service in sports journalism.
The ceremony was attended by prominent sports journalists, media analysts and cricket administration representatives, who paid tribute to Awan’s longstanding contributions to sports reporting and his efforts to safeguard the rights of the sports journalism community.
Speaking on the occasion, RISJA Vice President Asghar Ali Mubarak, President Abu Bakr bin Talat and Ambreen Ali praised Awan’s four-decade career and professional contributions. Mubarak highlighted his leadership and administrative services and called on the Government of Pakistan to recognise Awan’s contributions with a national civil award.
In his address, Shakeel Ahmed Awan thanked the journalistic community for its continued support and cooperation. He also appreciated RISJA’s current executive body for maintaining unity and promoting professional standards within the association.
During the ceremony, RISJA Mementos of Honour were presented to senior sports journalists, association office-bearers and other professionals in recognition of their services.
The recipients included veteran sports journalist and Pride of Performance award recipient Abdul Mohi Shah; RISJA President Abu Bakr bin Talat; Senior Vice President Zulfiqar Baig; Vice President Asghar Ali Mubarak; Dr. Zahid Awan, Asim Pirji, Aqeel Anjum, Nasir Abbas Naqvi, Imran Satti, Raja Sohail, Jabbar Faisal, Muhammad Wasi Shah and Awais Abbasi.
Women journalists Rozina Ali, Maria Rajput and Fazila, along with Hafiz Ubaid, Abdullah Jabbar and Pakistan Cricket Board Media Operations Representative Haseeb Mansoor, were also honoured.
The ceremony concluded with a cake-cutting and a vote of thanks by the RISJA executive council, reaffirming the association’s commitment to supporting professional sports journalism.
