RAWALPINDI (Sapeher Times) RISJA HOSTS DIGNIFIED CEREMONY AT RAWALPINDI CRICKET STADIUM TO HONOR SENIOR SPORTS JOURNALIST SHAKEEL AHMED AWAN FOR 40 YEARS OF SERVICE

RAWALPINDI (Sapeher Times), PAKISTAN – A simple yet dignified ceremony was hosted by the Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA) at the Media Center of the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium to celebrate the completion of 40 illustrious years in sports journalism by Shakeel Ahmed Awan, Senior Sports Journalist and Chairman of RISJA.

The event brought together prominent sports journalists, media analysts, and cricket administrative representatives to honor Mr. Awan’s lifelong dedication to sports reporting and his extensive leadership in advocating for the rights of the sports journalistic community.

Speaking on the occasion, senior media personalities Asghar Ali Mubarak (Vice President, RISJA), Abu Bakr bin Talat (President, RISJA), and Ambreen Ali highly lauded Mr. Awan’s four-decade-long career. They emphasized that his contributions have fundamentally shaped the landscape of sports reporting in the region. In his address, Asghar Ali Mubarak highlighted Mr. Awan’s administrative and leadership milestones, formally calling upon the Government of Pakistan to recognize his lifelong meritorious services with a National Civil Award.

In his keynote address, Shakeel Ahmed Awan expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the entire journalistic fraternity. He remarked that his journey would not have been possible without the collective support, camaraderie, and dedication of his fellow media professionals. He also highly commended the current executive body of RISJA for maintaining organizational unity and upholding rigorous standards of professionalism.

As part of the milestone celebrations, the ‘RISJA Memento of Honor’ was presented to selected senior sports journalists, executive body members, and key stakeholders in recognition of their exceptional services to the profession. The recipients of the honors included:

* Abdul Mohi Shah (Veteran Sports Journalist & recipient of the Presidential ‘Pride of Performance’ Award)

* Abu Bakr bin Talat (President, RISJA)

* Zulfiqar Baig (Senior Vice President, RISJA)

* Asghar Ali Mubarak (Vice President, RISJA)

* Dr. Zahid Awan, Asim Pirji, Aqeel Anjum, Nasir Abbas Naqvi, Imran Satti, Raja Sohail, Jabbar Faisal, Muhammad Wasi Shah, and Awais Abbasi.

* Prominent Women Journalists: Ms. Rozina Ali, Ms. Maria Rajput, and Ms. Fazila.

* Hafiz Ubaid and Abdullah Jabbar.

* Haseeb Mansoor (Media Operations Representative, Pakistan Cricket Board).

The ceremony concluded with a celebratory cake-cutting and a vote of thanks from the RISJA executive council, reaffirming the association’s commitment to supporting professional sports journalism.