LAHORE: Collector of Customs Preventive Zulfiqar Younas has said that the first ever Customs Golf Cup Tournament has not only built the soft image of the Customs Department but also helped improve liaison with many other agencies, including the Rangers, the Civil Aviation Authority, the National Logistic Cell, the Anti-Narcotic Force, the Federal Investigation Agency and the police.
Collecctor Zulfiqar Younas was talking to Customs Today after the successful conclusion of the first ever Customs Golf Cup Tournament at the Lahore Gymkhana Club the other day.
“We should look beyond hockey and cricket and with the idea in mind, we supported the Golf Tournament 2016 as the game has also been included in the Olympics,” he said.
“Such events will help discover and train international level of Pakistani golfers,” the collector of customs said, adding that secondly, Customs does not work in isolation instead it has to work with Rangers, Civil Aviation, National Logistic Cell, police, IB, ANF and other agencies at the Wagha border, airports and anti-smuggling and officials of all these agencies have also participated that helped us develop close coordination and corporation with them. He said that such informal gatherings and atmosphere bring the agencies closer adding to the mutual professional and national benefits.
“Almost all agencies took part in the event some were present on the opening like DG Rangers Umer Farooq Burki and others at the closing of the two day event,’ he informed, adding that the kind of activities are also beneficial for operational accuracies of the departments, especially customs department a great extent. He also informed that the Customs officers also took special interest and ventured themselves in playing golf which is a healthy activity and has so many good impacts on the body, soul and mind. “Customs officers have to face a numerous untoward situation in the way of their professional obligations and the games like golf can provide them relives in their stressful lives thereby enabling them to take right and balanced decisions both in personal and professional lives,” the collector believed.
In answer to a question, he replied that he got good response as we have had a good numbers of players and lovers of the game and DG Rangers Umer Farooq Burki was surprised to see gathering of the people.
He highlighted that junior golfers were encouraged especially as they were unable to play under the junior categories and were distributed prizes.
“This will help the new lot to a great extent to sharpen their skills and expertise by training themselves, Younas stated. To yet another question, the collector customs said that he was hopeful that Pakistan Customs supported hockey and Cricket and the team made Pakistan’s name in the world and in the same way Pakistani Golfers will also follow suit if there are supported in their professional endeavors.
TO a query about Hockey, he said that Pakistan Customs has introduced a number of fine player who played internationally and made their mark and in future also Customs Department will support and patronize the game so that good hockey may be provided to the hockey lovers in future.
