ISLAMABAD, APR 09 (DNA) – The Serena Hotels hosted, “A Day of Golf” an annual tournament under the Sports Diplomacy initiatives of the Hotel.Ambassadors, dignitaries and businessmen participated in the fourth tournament and Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Foreign Secretary, was the chief guest on the occasion.
Sports Diplomacy has emerged as an integral part of Serena’s efforts to build stronger relations with communities. Sports bring people together and participation in sports help in improving leadership, teamwork, and communication skills along with promoting a healthier lifestyle.
Mr. Aziz Boolani, CEO Serena Hotels, said, “We use sports to provide a platform to our foreign diplomats and friends, serving and retired bureaucrats and ourselves to establish links with other professionals and peers. This is an opportunity to develop friendships and demonstrate our abilities and interests in different sports.”
Mr. Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry congratulated Serena Hotels on the initiative and the excellent arrangements, and said, “I appreciate the sports diplomacy initiative which germinated during a Foreign Office golf tournament and has blossomed into a much larger concept. Sports have always brought people together and the hospitality of Serena creates a great ambiance to make links.”
The tournament was organized in four categories with three prizes each for corporate entrants, diplomats, Government and Armed Forces personnel and ladies. Special prizes were also awarded for the longest drive, closest to pin in the first 9 holes, closest to pin in the second nine holes and a hole in one categories. The winners were awarded trophies and prizes by Mr. Aizaz Ahmed.
Amongst the diplomats, HE Samsu Rizal, Charges d’Affaires Embassy of Malaysia won the category. Amongst the Government and Forces, Air Marshal AsadLodhi net score of 60 and Mr. Ahmed Kamal got first prize amongst the corporate players. Finally in the ladies category, the winner was Ms. MalihaIlahi.
The Serena Sports Diplomacy Initiative encourages and promotes healthy activities through interaction amongst various segments of the society to enhance social wellbeing and cultural development.
Under this banner, Serena Hotels hosts the prestigious President of Pakistan Gold Medal Golf Tournament, the President Gold Cup International Squash Championship, the Serena Hotels – Chief of the Air Staff International Squash Championship and annual polo, cricket and invitational golf tournaments. =DNA