MADINAH — Madinah Cricket Association arranged a prize distribution ceremony to celebrate successful conclusion of recent tournaments at Al-Aqool Cricket Complex here. Prizes were awarded to top achievers in Taiba Challenge Cup, 2nd MCA Natco Cup and Haseena Begum Memorial Cricket Tournament. The Consul General of Pakistan, Aftab Ahmed Khokher, was the chief guest on the occasion. Tariq Mishkhas, editor-in-chief of Urdu News, was the guest of honor. Also among the guests were: Qasim Naqvi, director of finance Saudi Cricket Centre; Sohail Ali Khan, press consul at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah, and Saif Anwer Jabba, deputy director Haj. Syed Zahid Ali, president of Madinah Cricket Association (MCA), thanked the guests, especially those who had traveled from Jeddah for the function. Dr. Syed Insram Ali addressed the audience on behalf of the Madinah community. He stressed the importance of going out and playing a sport. Khokher backed Dr. Insram on the importance of sports. He appreciated the role MCA has been playing in this regard since 1986. The consul general also announced that the Pakistan Consulate would sponsor the next MCA tournament in collaboration with a media outlet. He suggested that the tournament be called Pakistan Independence Day Cup 2015. The MCA president announced that the association would commence its 2015 cricket season with Pakistan Independence Day Cup. The body also named Mishkhas as the honorary MCA Patron. A friend of Madinah Diamond Cricket Club captain Iftikhar, who was out of the country, picked the 2nd MCA Natco Cup. Abdul Rauf Butta, Pak Eagle captain, received the Taiba Challenge Cup, while Adnan, Sky Wars captain, collected the Haseena Begum Memorial Trophy. Special souvenirs were presented to former presidents of MCA, Qaiser Butt and Mohammed Farooq, and Khurshid Ahmed for their services. — SG
