Islamabad, September 15, 2018:  Serena Hotels sponsored the Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation Save Tomorrow III Rugby Matches at the Pakistan Sports Board (Sports Complex) facilities on the occasion of International Overdose Awareness Day. Aimed at raising drug awareness and the losses because of overdose, Save Tomorrow III encourages the youth to engage in sports.

In the final match Islamabad team defeated Punjab team wiht a convincing margin.

International Overdose Awareness Day is a global event held on August 31st each year and aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of legal and illegal drug-related deaths. It also acknowledges the grief felt by families and friends remembering those who have met with death or permanent injury as a result of drug overdose.

Serena Hotels sponsored the event for the third consecutive year as part of its Sports Diplomacy Initiative. Guests included representatives of Government, members of the diplomatic corps, students from various educational institutions, their Principals, teachers, counselors, and people from the local community.

Shireen Mazari, Federal Minister for Human Rights, was the chief guest. She stated the new government will support all activities related to drug abuse.

Mr. Aziz Boolani, CEO of Serena Hotels, said, “Organizations, like Serena Hotels, are strategically placed and have the capacity to support and promote causes which encourage healthy lifestyles. We have in the past few years sponsored, facilitated and supported various sports events under our Sports Diplomacy Initiative. Participation in sports and athletic activities teaches leadership, teamwork, and communication skills that help young people succeed in all areas of their lives and is an effective way to convey positive, life-affirming messages to them.

The winners of the Rugby Match between Islamabad and Punjab were Islamabad.

The Karim Khan Afridi Welfare Foundation is a non-profit organization working primarily to raise drug awareness among teenagers. The organization provides information about the issue of fatal and non-fatal overdose, to send a strong message to current and former drug users that they are valued and their addiction can be resolved and they can be reintegrated in the society.