Sportsmen to help in flood-relief campaign

Jahangir, Afridi and Aisam among key figures to work for the cause .

KARACHI: Pakistan’s leading sportsmen are gearing up for a relief campaign for victims of floods that have caused massive devastation in Sindh.

Among the sportsmen who have promised to participate in the relief work are squash legend Jahangir Khan, former captain Shahid Afridi and tennis ace Aisamul Haq Qureshi.

The campaign is being led by Sindh chief minister’s sports advisor Haleem Adil Sheikh who said that he had received an encouraging response from the leading sports personalities he approached for assistance.

“The legends are ready to come on board,” Sheikh told The Express Tribune. “All of them are ready to play their part and campaign for the flood victims will start soon.”

Sheikh said those who have promised to become a part of the campaign also included various Olympians including the Pakistan Hockey Federation Chief Selector Hanif Khan.

“We’ll be holding exhibition cricket and hockey matches to raise funds. Our sportsmen will also auction their memorabilia to gather funds. These legends have a huge following and hopefully the campaign will help the affected people.”

Sheikh said he would soon meet President Asif Ali Zardari and the sportsmen to finalise the details of the campaign.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 19^th,  2011.