QUETTA: Muhammad Abubakar Durrani of Pakistan Customs Quetta 13-time National Champion demonstrated exceptional prowess by winning the Governor Balochistan Trophy National Sprint Canoeing Championship 2024 held in Quetta last day. Durrani secured a remarkable achievement by capturing two Gold Medals in the K-1, 200M (Men) and K-2, 200M (Mix) and Silver Medal in K-2, 200M categories. His outstanding performance led to his recognition as the best Kayaking athlete of the championship.
In minus five-degree centigrade weather Governor Balochistan Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail inaugurated the championship as guest of honor in a graceful ceremony held at the Headquarters of “Hayat Durrani Canoe Kayak / Water Sports Academy (Pvt. Ltd) and its sprawling ranch at Hanna Lake, Governor Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail emphasized the positive impact of Canoeing Sports on the youth, expressed his full support to the development of Canoeing Olympic sports in Balochistan as well in Pakistan. He congratulated Hayatullah Khan Durrani, Secretary of Pakistan Canoe and Kayak Federation and founder / Chief Executive of HDWSA, and his team for the successful organizing of Canoe Kayak Championship, Hayatullah Khan Durrani briefed Governor Balochistan about 39 years history of the continues activities events and training camps hosted at HDWSA and later under the auspicious of PCKF, Hayatullah Khan Durrani praised Mr. Thomas Konietzko President of International Canoe Federation and Mr. Jake Eunsuk Kim Secretary General Asian Canoe Confederation (ACC) for their outstanding role to the development of Canoe and Kayak Sports in Pakistan. Mr. Hashim Khan Ghalzai (Principal Secretary to Governor Balochistan) Patron HDWSA and PCKF including Officials from Pakistan Canoe & Kayak Federation and Balochistan Canoeing Associations, Balochistan Rowing Association and Balochistan Sailing Associations were among the esteemed guests. necessary equipment Canoe/Kayak racing boats, paddles, and life jackets motor boats for judges and rescue operations were provided by HDWSA, adhering Pakistan Canoe and Kayak Federation’s recommendations.
The championship was organized here at Balochistan’s first and only Canoe Kayak and Rowing Olympic Sports International Academy “Hayat Durrani Canoe Kayak / Water Sports Academy (Pvt. Ltd) and its sprawling ranch at Hanna Lake, Quetta in collaboration with the Pakistan Canoe & Kayak Federation and Balochistan Canoeing Association, adhering to International Canoe Federation (ICF) rules. The aim to provide a platform for the development and encouragement of Canoe and Kayak Olympic Sports within the country, Championship provided an electrifying atmosphere at the challenging waters in Hanna Lake and the Events reached a thrilling conclusion with remarkable performances, specific event of Masters race was included to motivate the most senior Kayak athletes in Pakistan.
In the Men’s K-1, 200M, Muhammad Abubakar Durrani emerged victorious, securing the Gold Medal. Atta Muhammad Kakar Silver, Muhammad Ehsan Akram Bronze.
Men’s K-1, 500M, Shah Jahan Gold Medal, Noor Muhammad Silver, Farhatullah Kakar Bronze.
Men’s K-2, 200M Sajid Hussain and Abdullah Gold Medal, Muhammad Abubakar Durrani and Farhanullah Kakar Silver, Miyan Javed and Kashif Memon Bronze.
Men’s K-2, 500M Umar Farooq and Umar Ayaaz Gold, Atta Muhammad Kakar and Pervez Kakar Silver, Sajid Hussain and Abdullah Gold Medal, Muhammad Abubakar Durrani and Farhanullah Kakar Silver, Miyan Javed and Kashif Memon Bronze.
Women K-1, 200M Dr, Miss Gul e Lala Qazi Gold Medal, Miss, Kulsoom Jaffar Silver, Miss Bakhtawar Tareen Bronze Medal.
Women K-2, 200M Tehmina Mehak Jaffar and Miss Gul-e-Lala Qazi Gold Medal, Miss Zam Zam Durrani and Kulsoom Jaffar Silver Medal, Miss Bakhtawar Tareen and Miss Asma Khan Bronze.
MIX (Male + Female) K-2, 200M Muhammad Abubakar Durrani and Tehmina Mehak Jaffar Gold Medal, Naseeb Ullah Durrani and Kulsoom Jaffar Silver Medal, Muhammad Asif and Miss Bakhtawar Tareen Bronze.
Masters Event, K-1, 200M, (Men 40 years +) Muhammad Waseem Gold Medal, Zahir Shah Silver, Muhammad Yousaf Bronze.
Boys K-1, 200M (U-18) Arbab Sarfaraz Kassi Gold Medal, Muhammad Elyas Sherani Bronze, Bilal Khan Kakar Bronze.
Men’s C-1, 200M Sajid Hussain Shah Gold Medal, Noor Muhammad Silver, Moiz Ur Rehman Bazai Bronze,
The event was made possible through the expertise of the judges and coaches as Muhammad Aslam Kassi, Khanzada Idrees Tareen, Samin Jan Noorzai, Easanullah, Jan Muhammad Durrani, Raz Muhammad, Imran Kakar and Shah Jan Tareen served as the as Judges ensuring fair competition and accurate results.
65 male and female canoe paddlers from Pakistan Customs, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan railway, Pakistan Police, Punjab, Balochistan and HDWSA different parts the province participated in the Championship,
team trophy was awarded to Mohammad Abubakar Durrani, captain of the winning team from Pakistan Customs Quetta, Runner trophy went to Pakistan Navy and third position Trophy awarded to HDWSA Balochistan 4th Position, Punjab 5th, Police 6th Railway 7th position.
On the other day Distinguished guests Tariq Qamar Baloch Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Captain Muhammad Kamran Director Sports Pakistan Navy and Hashim Khan Ghalzai Principal Secretary to Governor Balochistan and Patron HDWSA / Pakistan canoe and Kayak Federation Sher Muhammad Tareen Secretary Balochistan Olympic Association distributed the trophies and Medals in a graceful ceremony at the HDWSA headquarters marked the conclusion of the Governor Balochistan Trophy National Sprint Canoeing Championship 2024, with the hoisting of the Pakistan National Flag and the playing of the National Anthem. HDWSA arranged a tea break, musical show, and Pashtun traditional dinner for all the position holders and participants.
(Source: Pakistan Canoe and Kayak Federation Media Report)