Soon after the flag hoisting ceremony at SSGC’s head office building on August 14, 2023, two sporting events kicked off to supplement the celebrations of 77TH Independence Day of Pakistan, namely 1ST SSGC Oil and Gas Sector Tape Ball Cricket Independence Day Cup 2023 and Karachi to Gharo, Independence Day Open Cyle Race 2023 for both Men and Women.
SSGC beat PARCO to win the Cricket Independence Day Cup 2023 as the boys convincingly chased PARCO’s target of 107 in six overs with two overs to spare to become the champions. Qazi Nasar displayed a standout performance in a 10-wicket win with a blistering knock of 60 runs of just 20 balls supported by Raja Iftikhar who scored 32 runs. The latter being judged as the man of the match in the semis against PPL, produced a memorable innings of 39 runs of mere 10 balls which proved to be a decider. This day-long tournament featured a total of eight teams with participation from Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Shell Pakistan, Pakistan Arab Refinery Company (PARCO), SSGC-LPG (Pvt.) Limited (SLL) along with two teams each from Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and hosts Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC).
The tournament was played at SSGC’s Karachi Terminal Sports ground with a primary objective to cultivate friendly ties and camaraderie between the energy sector companies, participating in the tournament. Supporters of all the teams’ thronged the cricket arena in large numbers right from the morning and well into the night time to watch the pool matches, semis and final match. Trophies for winners, runners-up and other categories were presented on the conclusion of the tournament by former Test Cricketer Tauseef Ahmed who graced the occasion as Chief Guest, whereas Man of the Match trophies were presented after each match by SSGC’s Senior Executives.
In the other sporting event, SSGC riders totally dominated the Independence Day Cycle Race from Karachi to Gharo as SSGC’s men and women cyclists made a clean sweep of this contest. SSGC and Sindh Cycling Association, an affiliate of PCF, jointly organized this 80-kms long cycle race with an objective to encourage youth for adopting a healthy lifestyle.
SSGC’s Azan, Shan and Waleed clinched the 1ST, 2ND and 3RD positions, respectively in the men’s event with an exceptional display of cycling talent. On the other hand, in the women’s event, SSGC riders Kinza Malik, Rabia Garib and Asma Jan displayed exuberant cycling expertise. A total of 32 cyclists from across Sindh participated in the race.
SSGC’s DMD (F&A / CFO) Muhammad Amin Rajput, flagged-off the race as the cyclists departed from SSGC Head Office Building. Company executives and staff as well as supporters of all the contesting cyclists were present in large numbers to buck up their riders. The winners were conferred with trophies and cash prizes at the end of the race by the Chief Guest, SSGC’s Secretary Sports Board and notables from the cycling arena.
Both these events were professionally managed and organized by SSGC’s Sports Department in coordination with few other departments who helped in making these events a major success.