February 19, 2010: iLEAD Volleyball Tournament for Boys

February 19, 2010: A very exciting volleyball tournament was organized by the Institute for Advancing Careers and Talents (iACT), Karachi under the banner of iLEAD. iLEAD has provided a platform to iACT to launch a sports program not only for its own students, but also to engage other colleges and schools too.

Mr. Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Department Government of Sindh, inaugurated the volleyball tournament. He led the oath-taking for the players, and kicked off the tournament. He addressed the youth and emphasized their active participation in sports activities. The Secretary highlighted the important role that sports play in an individual’s physical as well as mental development. Also present at the occasion was Mr. Mashhood Rizvi, Provincial Director Sindh and Baluchistan British Council, who also addressed the gathering.

The tournament was league based wherein eight teams participated. Each team played three matches before the semifinals. A total of 96 energetic athletes participated. The semi-finalists included Government Physical Education College Karachi, Aga Khan Higher Secondary School Karachi, Government City College Karachi (a partner college of iLEAD) and Hamdard Science and Commerce College, Karachi. The final was an enthralling contest between the competent and powerful athletes of Government College for Physical Education and Hamdard Science and Commerce College, and the tournament was won by the former.

Mr. Gulfaraz Ahmed Khan, President Sindh Hockey Association and Chairman Colony Sports Welfare Association consented to be the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the event, when he distributed the certificates and trophies to athletes.

The tournament not only provided an opportunity to students to participate in sports, it also helped them develop their other skills too. For most of the students of iACT, participating in the volleyball tournament was a novel experience, since they had never participated in any prior sporting events. They found this experience to be enriching and a learning one: the tournament helped them enhance their decision-making skills while learning to keep their emotions under control. They also realized the importance of coordination and communication for building an effective team.