COSIS hosts appreciation ceremony in honor of national athletes

Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, National Tennis Star Aisam-ul-Haq, and Dr. Mumtaz-ul-Hassan Barvi present shields

Aisam-ul-Haq: "I’m delighted Minhaj-ul-Quran’s educational institutions are promoting sports alongside academics."

The College of Sharia and Islamic Sciences (COSIS), a Minhaj-ul-Quran International educational institution, organized an appreciation ceremony to honor athletes who won medals in international sports competitions.

The event was attended by Pakistan’s national tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq, former volleyball team captain Chaudhry Nasir, tennis star Ushna Suhail, international weightlifter Neelam Riaz, Raheela Younas, and Saadia Abdul Khaliq. Chairman Supreme Council of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, graced the event and presented awards alongside other dignitaries.

Nauman Yousaf, a student of the College of Sharia, was awarded a commemorative shield and a cash prize of Rs. 50,000 for winning a bronze medal at the Malaysian Open Championship 2024. Similarly, Muhammad Akmal Mahmood received a shield and Rs. 50,000 for securing a bronze medal at the Taekwondo Festival 2024 in South Korea.

In his speech, Aisam-ul-Haq expressed his joy over the institution’s efforts to integrate religious and worldly education while promoting sports, calling it a commendable example for others to follow. He emphasized that encouragement and recognition are vital for talent development.

Dr. Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri congratulated the national athletes and students of the College of Sharia for bringing honor to Pakistan in international competitions. He also praised the administration of the College of Sharia for their dedication and efforts.

Other notable speakers included Secretary-General Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Vice Chancellor of Minhaj University Professor Dr. Sajid Mahmood Shahzad, Principal Dr. Mumtaz-ul-Hassan Barvi, former volleyball captain Chaudhry Nasir, tennis star Ushna Suhail, Neelam Riaz, Raheela Younas, Saadia Abdul Khaliq, Director Sports Minhaj University Iqbal Murtaza, Pakistan National Taekwondo Team Head Coach Sardar Muhammad Qayyum Chingizi, and Deputy Director Sports of the College of Sharia Dr. Muhammad Munir Hussain.

Neelam Riaz expressed her happiness at the respect given to athletes by Minhaj-ul-Quran’s central secretariat and hoped that similar recognition elsewhere would amplify Pakistan’s name on global platforms. Raheela Younas offered technical assistance to Minhaj-ul-Quran’s institutions in furthering sports initiatives.