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Monday, 18 June 2007 04:11

Mr. Hugh Catchpole's centenary celebrations which started in India, came to an end on 14th June 2007 in Cadet College Hasanabdal, at his final place of resting. The hockey competitions final match was played between CCH and PAF Sargodha teams, which CCH won by 1-0 towards the close of the match. The cricket trophy was also won by Cadet College Hasanabdal when the four teams played in RIMC India. The Governor of Punjab, Lt. Gen. Khalid Maqbool (Retd) was the chief guest, although the Prime Minister was also expected to come, but cancelled his visit at the last minute. A number of old boy's from Cadet College Hasanabdal, PAF College Sargodha and Abbottabad Public School attended the closing ceremony and met the old boy's from Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) led by Maj. Gen. T. V. Manoharan (Retd).

A very strong wind blew the front canopy where the chief guest was sitting. The groundsmen has to be called in to remove the front canopy. It was interesting to note that Maj. Gen. Kripal Kohli (Retd), a visiting Rimcollian, ran to hold one of the poles from falling down. However this small natural disaster did not put any dent in the excitement of people who were meeting the Indian guests in an extremely friendly manner.

The Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Gen. Ahsan Saleem Hayat, a Sargodhian, was also present on the occasion.

At the end of the hockey match, the Punjab Governor gave away the trophies to the participating teams and had group photographs with them. When the CCH captqain received his trophy, he raised it above the shoulders. During this action the lid of the trophy came falling down and was immediately caught by the Governor, before it hit the ground.

The occasion was also marked by presenting the first day cover and a postage stamp in honour of Mr. Catchpole. Mr. Arshad Khan, Chairman Pakistan Post, presented the first day cover and the postage stamps to the Governor and the Principals of all four participating teams. He also presented a souvenier to Lt. Gen. Sabahat, Governor of the Executive Committee of Cadet College Hasanabdal and the Vice Chief of the Army Staff, Gen. Ahsan Saleem Hayat.

Principal Cadet College Hasanabdal hosted a dinner in honour of the Indian delegation and the partipating teams in the Oval. It was a well attended dinner with tables laid in the middle of the ground, while a military band played tunes. The cadets also enjoyed the dinner with their counterparts from RIMC and the other two colleges. A musical event was also arranged by PTV.

Mr. Arshad Khan presenting the stamps to the Governor

(More pictures can be seen in the Picture Gallery by registered members only.)