HEC All Pakistan Quaid E Azam Trophy 12th Women and 43rd Men Intervarsity Swimming Championships 2023-24 were held at Punjab International Swimming Complex (PISC), Nishtar Park Sports Complex (NPSC), Ferozepur Road, Lahore from 1-4 December, 2023.
The championships were organised by Government College University Lahore (GCUL) in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan.
The opening ceremony of the championships was held on 2 December, 2023 and Prof. Dr. Ahmad Adnan Vice Chancellor GC University Lahore was the chief guest. Director / In-Charge Sports and Co-curricular Division HEC Engr. Javed Ali Memon was the guest of honour of the said event. Honourable VC has welcomed all the participants and advised to stand firm with fair play and integrity as they both serve as core principles of sportsmanship. He has also appreciated the arrangements done by the Directorate of Sports GCU Lahore to facilitate the participants in best possible way. Mr. Memon has also acknowledged the effects of the Sports Team of GCU as well as the holistic institutional support provided after the directions of the worthy vice chancellor. GC University Lahore has always set new standards to follow by other universities hosting events on behalf of HEC and we are really pleased to award these two major events to GCU Lahore, Engr. Memon added.
A total of 25 universities (13 in Women’s category and 12 Men’s category) have participated in both the championships.
Other dignitaries / prominent figures of university sports include Ms. Sumera Sattar Director Sports Lahore College for Women University, Ms. Hurria Hussein Deputy Director Sports University of the Punjab, Ms. Kausar Farooq team Manager LUMS, Mr. Arshad Sattar Director Sports University of Central Punjab, Lt. Col. Sohail Qadir (Retd) Director Sports Lahore Garrison University, Mr. Zubair Ahmad Butt Addl. Director Sports University of the Punjab, Mr. Babar Kamil Director Sports Forman Christian College University, Mr. Rana Amjad Director Sports University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mr. Shahzad Nazir Tr. Punjab Swimming Association, Mr. Usman Muavia Assist. Director Sports University of Lahore, Mr. Irfan Anwar Assist. Director Sports Superior University Lahore and Mr. Hafeez Bhatti Chief Consultant Sports Board Punjab. Mr. Khadim Ali Khan has also been present as observer HEC whereas Mr. Khalid Zaman and Olympian Bisma Khan were also present to witness the most spectacular performances showcased by the exceptional swimmers belonging to different public and private sectors universities.
A total of 38 events have been held in both men’s and women’s categories (19 in each category). The technical delegate of the championships was Mr. Atif Shafiq Bhatti, former international swimmer, Secretary General Punjab Swimming Association and President GCU Swimming Club.
The chief guest of the closing ceremony held on 4 December, 2023 at PISC, NPSC, Ferozepur Road, Lahore was Maj. General Muhammad Khalil Dar, HI (M) (Retd) and he has given away the medals, cash prizes and winning trophies to the winners and recipients of medals of last 2 sessions. The veteran General has applauded the achievements / performances of all participanting teams including his own team, the LGU and has also extended a warm gratitude for such a wonderful hospitality and par excellence event management by GCU Lahore.
The University of the Punjab has won the general trophy in women’s category where as the teams of LUMS and LGU stood on 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
In men’s category the team of University of Central Punjab has won the championship whereas the team of LGU and PU have finished on 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
Ms. Suimra Nasir a student of LUMS and Mr. Ayan Asif a student of UCP were declared the best swimmers of the championships.
The organising secretary, Director Sports GC University Lahore Muhammad Waseem Akhtar expressed his sincere gratitude to all the participants for their participation and support throughout the championships.