BHOPAL, 14 January 2005 — Jeddah-based Khubaib Jamal Bari and eight other Muslim sportspersons were felicitated here by Muslim Education & Career Promotion Society, (MECAPS), Bhopal in its annual prize distribution function held here in Gandhi Bhavan.
Dr. A. R. Nakadar, NRI and Secretary general of American Federation of Muslims of Indian origin (AFMI), was the chief guest at the function. Justice Faizanuddin (Rtd.), ex-Member of Parliament Wasim Ahmad, Prof. Zaki-ur-Rahman, Principal of Saifia Arts College, and senior journalist L.S. Herdenia were the guests of honour on the occasion. The senior most Aligarian Naseeruddin, Prof. Hasan Masood, Habib ur-Rahman were special guests on the occasion.
The sportspersons felicitated included Khubaib Jamal Bari, siblings Samar Ghoury, Yassar Pasha and Nida Pasha Ghoury (all 4 table-tennis) Bushra Khan & Mohammad Faisal Khan (both rifle shooting); Zain Ansari & Sohail Masood (both cricket); and Mohammad Izhar Farooqui (Tug-of-War).
The MECAPS Sports Award 2004 for the biggest achievement went to Jeddah-based Khubaib Bari of Bhopal who emerged the youngest undefeated table tennis champion of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is son of Syed Jawed Jamal Bari, an engineer of Bhopal, working in Saudi Arabia. He was presented the award in absentia, which was received by his cousin Saad Bari.
Besides this there is a sibling success story in the discipline of table tennis wherein the progenies of Rais Ghoury & Iffat Ghoury of Bhopal have achieved a lot in their field. The siblings Nida Pasha Ghoury, Yasser Pasha and Samar Ghoury have attained a long haul of medals, championship titles and cash prizes in their career that started since their early schooling days. Nida Ghoury, a student of Std. XI in K.K. Convent, has won one dozen gold medals, three silvers and two bronze medals up till now in various categories. She is ranked first in junior category and 2nd in Women section in Madhya Pradesh. Yasser Pasha holds second Sr. State ranking. He was honored with Eklavya award in 1999. The MECAPS award for rifle shooting was presented to six-year-old Bushra Khan. She is the daughter of Mr. Aslam Khan, Sr. Joint Secretary Bhopal Rifle Club. She was the youngest participant in the Bhopal Open Rifle Shooting Competition held in February 2004.
Though she was youngest, her style impressed every spectator on the shooting range. She participated in the Sub-Junior 0.22 bore rifle-shooting category with good results surprising all other participants and media. Mohammad Faisal Khan, handicapped by birth who moves about in a wheel-chair as both his legs are shriveled, also got the MECAPS award for rifle shooting. By his grit, determination and will power to succeed he has become a professional shooter. The physically-challenged 27-year-old Faisal won the 0.22 bore open category in the Bhopal Open Rifle Shooting Competition held in February last. He aspires to compete in national and international-level competitions to bring laurels to Madhya Pradesh and India.
Zain Ansari, son of former Ranji Trophy player. Javed Ansari, is a taented upcoming cricketer. An all-rounder with spin bowling being his forte Zain captained Bhopal Division Cricket Association Under-15, which won the A.W. Kanmadikar Inter-Divisional Cricket tournament 2003-2004.
Sohail Masood, a senior Ranji Trophy all-rounder, was also honored with MECAPS Award. In his cricketing career he has 18 centuries and 20 half centuries together with 200 wickets to his credit. His highest score is 189 and Best All-round performance is 137 runs with five wickets for 38 runs.
Mohammad Izhar Farroqui received the MECAPS Award for securing first position in 560 Kg Senior category in the Ist South Asian Tug-of-War Championship held in Kathmandu, Nepal in April 2004.
