Ishtiaq Khan, a 39-year-old Senior Foreman at Al Laith scaffolding company, has been awarded the annual ‘Spirit of the Championship’ accolade at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.

Having worked at every Championship to date, Khan oversees delivery of Al Laith’s scaffolding services for the star-studded tournament, which teed-off the PGA European Tour’s trio of ‘Desert Swing’ events this week.

“I’m honoured to receive the award,” said father-of-four Khan, following a prize giving ceremony on the 18th green where he was presented with his trophy by His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, TCA Abu Dhabi, the Championship organiser. “I’ve worked on this event for such a long time and I love it so much. I’m very grateful to be recognised.”

Pakistani Khan joined Al Laith in 1997 as a trainee scaffolder and by 2005 had progressed to the level of ‘charge hand’. He is currently the company’s seventh longest-serving site employee.

“Al Laith is extremely proud of Ishtiaq’s selection for this award and for the recognition he is receiving,” said Eugene O’Doherty, Chief Operations Office of Al Laith. “Ishtiaq has developed an excellent understanding of the challenges working on a major golf event. The scope and size of our event build has evolved over the years and this year has been our biggest project to date.”

Al Laith’s scaffolding work at the venue started in early November and over 1,000 man days have gone into transforming Abu Dhabi Golf Club into the Championship venue.

“Respect for the golf course during the tournament build is vital and Ishtiaq has developed a good understanding of this and is always in regular contact with greenskeepers during the build,” added Mr. O’Doherty.

Launched in 2011 to celebrate an individual’s outstanding commitment to the tournament, the ‘Spirit of the Championship’ award is open to anyone associated with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship - from spectators and volunteers to golfers and score-keepers.

Previous winners include Jean Iggo, the Championship’s Chief Marshal, in 2011, and last year’s winner Rasheed Ahmad from Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s Maintenance Department.
 

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