Sports help shape youngsters character: Kidwai
JEDDAH: The value of sport was extolled by the chief guest and the guest of honor in the football event organized by Indian Youth Welfare Association ( IYWA) to mark the 63rd Republic Day Celebrations recently here in Jeddah.
“Sports play a major role in inculcating talent and etiquette in children. Along with academic institutions where young minds are groomed to develop assorted aptitude and skills to take up successful careers in their life, sport hones the competitive skills,” said Indian Consul General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai.
He was the chief guest at the event in which 150 football players in the age group of 8- 16 participated in the IYWA Football Tournament. Indian football legend Mohammed Habib, who too spelled out the need to participate in sports for an all- round development, was guest of honor.
While exhorting parents and community members to motivate the teens to take part in outdoor sports, Kidwai said along with physical fitness, sports help shape youngsters character. It helps them to learn discipline, effect planning, make decisions while developing leadership qualities with coordination, cooperation, management and team work in the early stages of their life.
Lauding the IYWA initiative to establish “IYWA Football Academy” and organizing free coaching to children from the Indian community, he said the Indian community in Jeddah is indeed fortunate to have Indian football legend Habib among us to give ideas and tips to the young footballers.
Habib, an Arjun awardee, called on the youngsters to seize the opportunity and use the facility and expertise that IYWA is providing to develop good sporting skills. “Hard work and dedication along with discipline and punctuality will yield good results,” he added.
Kidwai and Habib presented the winners and runners- up trophies to the senior teams along with medals and certificates, while honoring coaches Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki, Mohammed Jaweed, Mir Taqi Ali, Mir Fazal Ali, Syed Kazim Hussain and event managers, Anwar Ul Haq and Mohammed Farooq, with mementos.
Asar Khan, president IOC, and Ramnarayan Iyer presented the winners and runners- up trophies to the junior teams along with medals and certificates.
Dr. Kareemuddin, member Higher Board, and Ahmeduddin Owaisi, president Bazm- e- Itthehad, handed over the trophies, medals and certificates to the winners, runners- up and participants of the tournament in the sub junior category while Masood Ahmed, principal IISJ, presented the best player award to Saleh Bin Abdullah Omar ( senior category), Abdul Moiz ( junior category) and Mutiallah Sharief ( subjunior category).
Earlier Aijaz Ahmed Khan, vice president sports, introduced one of India’s greatest footballing sons, Mohammed Habib, to the young footballers, while President, Surendrapal Singh briefed the gathering about the activities of IYWA, while stressing on future plans for the children. Chief Patron Ramnarayan Iyer welcomed the gathering and General Secretary Mir Gazanfar Ali Zaki presented the vote of thanks. The proceedings of the tournament were conducted by Rehan Khan.