NEW YORK: Officers from the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Pakistan Consulate here emphasized the importance of sports in promotion of healthy activities and peace at the local as well as international level.
They were speaking on the occasion of a friendly cricket match between the NYPD and the Pakistan Consulate here.
This was for the first time that teams from the police and the Pakistani consulate competed in a cricket match at the Marine Park New York.
Officers and players gathered at the venue and decided that the match will ve of 15 hours each side. The inaugural ceremony started with NY police department staff reciting verses from Surah Hamd of the holy Quran.
Speaking on the occasion, police officers said world leaders had realized that war was not a solution to any issue and nations could live in peace by resolving their issues through dialogues and coming together. Killing each other was not going to solve any problem.
Police Officer Muhammad Ali recited the national anthem of Pakistan and the players of the Pakistani consulate joined him. This was followed by the recitation of the American national anthem and a salute by a contingent of the police.
Speaking on the occasion, Mark Stewart, the deputy commissioner community affairs in the New York police, said we understand the value of human life and cricket is the game which brings people closer and promotes the sense of caring for each other.
Pakistan’s Consul General Amir Ahmad Atozai said that sports activities helped in promoting positive trends and discouraged negativities in society.
He said the NY police and the Pakistani community were playing their role as a team for the betterment of the city and to bring different communities closer.
New York Police Officers Society President and Commanding Officer Adeel Rana said that today’s friendly match was a testament to the fact that we have an extraordinary leadership that wanted to promote sports activities.
An NYPD representative on the occasion said that a cricket team would visit Pakistan next year and play matches in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
Later, the NYPD team won the toss and decided to bat. Deputy commissioner Mark Stewart inaugurated the match by bowling to the Pakistani consul general Aamir Ahmed.
In the allocated 15 years, the NYPD team scored 140 runs and lost six wickets. The Pakistan Consulate team tried hard to chase the target but could score 119 runs and lost the match to the NYPD team.
Spectators on the occasion enjoyed the game and said such sporting events should be held at regular intervals.
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