Day: November 23, 2022

Lahore, November 23, 2022 (PPI-OT):Taking another revolutionary measure for the growth of sports culture in the Punjab province, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood distributed cheques of Rs 2,36,00,000 grant money among 29 provincial sports associations at a grand ceremony held at National Hockey Stadium on Friday evening.

Vice-Chairman Sports Board Punjab Malik Nadeem Abbas Bara, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta, Commissioner Lahore/President Punjab Olympic Association Amir Jan, Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi, Director Admin Syed Umair Hassan, CEO Lahore Qalandars Atif Rana, former Test cricketer Aqib Javed, Director Sports Chand Parveen, Deputy Director Tariq Wattoo, Assistant Director Zahoor Ahmed, Secretary Punjab Olympic Association Idris Haider Khawaja and presidents and secretaries of all provincial sports associations were also present on this occasion.

Vice-Chairman Sports Board Punjab Malik Nadeem Abbas Bara also distributed grant money cheques among some provincial sports associations. Addressing the grand ceremony, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood said that it is a historic day because on this day Sports Board Punjab is releasing grant-in-aid money to all provincial sports associations for the promotion of sports culture. “We have fulfilled our promise and now it is the obligation of provincial sports associations to deliver and hold a maximum number of sports events and trace fresh talent in their respective games,” he added.

Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood on this occasion announced that the grant money will be given to provincial sports associations every year. Representatives of all provincial sports associations thanked Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta and Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi for fulfilling their key demand.

Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood further said that there is no doubt that provincial sports associations have a key role in the promotion of sports among the young generation. “The annual grant-in-aid to provincial sports associations was a regular feature in the past but it was suspended due to some reasons but now the long-standing demand of provincial sports associations has been fulfilled for which my whole team deserved huge appreciation”.

Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood further said that Sports Board Punjab will continue to extend every possible support to provincial sports associations for the organization of their sports events.

“Recently, we organized the 73rd Punjab Games quite successfully. We also found several talented athletes from the Punjab Games. We are also setting up a network of top-class sports academies of different games. The establishment of a cricket academy adjacent to Punjab Stadium is a latest example in this regard,” he elaborated.

Commissioner Lahore/President Punjab Olympic Association Amir Jan on this occasion repeatedly thanked Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta and Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi for fulfilling demand of provincial sports associations. “Definitely, this great measure will help a lot in holding several sports competitions and tracing fresh talent from grassroots level,” he added.

A huge grant of Rs 30 lakh was given to Punjab Olympic Association. As many as 10 provincial sports associations such as Punjab Athletics Association, Punjab Hockey Association, Punjab Modern Pentathlon Association, Punjab Kabaddi Association, Punjab Table Tennis Association, Punjab Wrestling Association, Punjab Badminton Association, Punjab Cycling Association, Punjab Squash Association and Punjab Golf Association were given Rs 10 lakh grant each.

Eight provincial sports associations namely Punjab Baseball Association, Punjab Basketball Association, Punjab Lawn Tennis Association, Punjab Rugby Association, Punjab Touch Ball Association, Punjab Weightlifting Association, Punjab Rifle Shooting Association and Punjab Swimming Association were given Rs 7 lakh grant apiece.

Whereas 10 provincial sports associations namely Punjab Paralympic Association, Punjab Archery Association, Punjab Gymnastic Association, Punjab Handball Association, Punjab Judo Association, Punjab Karate Association, Punjab Netball Association, Punjab Roller Sports Association, Punjab Taekwondo Association and Punjab Wushu Association were given Rs 5 lakh grant each.

For more information, contact:
Sports Board Punjab
Government of the Punjab
National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99232501, +92-42-99232502
E-mail: info@punjabsportsboard.com
Website: http://sportsboard.punjab.gov.pk

Lahore, November 23, 2022 (PPI-OT):Govt Boys College Township Lahore was the venue of Youth Affairs and Sports Department Punjab’s 4th awareness programme held on the directions of Secretary Youth Affairs and Sports Punjab Ehsan Bhutta on Friday to save the young generation from the vicious addiction of drugs and electronic devices.

Deputy Secretary Admin Liaqat Ali, Director Admin Syed Umair Hassan, Project Development Specialist Qasim Zia, Principal Govt Boys College Township M Saleem Dogar, Research Officer Abdul Malik, Associate Prof and Focal Person M Hussain, Sports and Youth Affairs Department officers, college professors and a large number of students attended the awareness workshop.

Principal Govt Boys College Township M Saleem Dogar and other professors praised the efforts of Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta for establishment of a healthy society. Several students also expressed their views regarding the Youth Affairs Department’s valuable campaign and key measures for saving young boys and girls from the menace of drugs and electronic devices.

Addressing the awareness workshop, Deputy Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Liaqat Ali said Youth should participate in healthy activities to stay away from drugs. “Department of Youth Affairs and Sports provides a suitable platform for young people to participate in positive activities,” he added.

Deputy Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Liaquat Ali further said that the Sports and Youth Affairs Department has taken many steps for the betterment of the youth. “Our youth must avoid the excessive use of technology and always try to use this facility for positive purposes instead of ruining their valuable time and energy in useless activities.”

Director Admin Syed Umair Hassan, in his address said that it is beyond doubt that the young generation is the future of our country and that’s why we are paying special attention to their character and career building. “It is also a fact that there are so many advantages of technology but at the same time its unnecessary and excessive use converts its benefits into disadvantages,” he explained.

Director Admin Syed Umair Hassan further said that using modern technology for positive purposes always enhances the mental abilities of youngsters. “Drugs are like a poison which destroys the life and career of youth and it is the right time for the young generation to get rid of this menace as early as possible,” he maintained.

Speaking on this occasion, Principal Govt Boys College Township M Saleem Dogar said that it is very important to spread awareness among young boys and girls about the serious harms of electronic devices and drug addiction. “The growing usage of drugs and electronic gadgets among the youth is a matter of concern and we should make collective and effective efforts in this regard without wasting any time,” he urged.

Project Development Specialist Qasim Zia on this occasion said that it is the best effort of Secretary Sports Ehsan Bhutta for the safety of youth and building a healthy society. He said spending hours on electronic devices is having negative effects on the physical health of the youth.

For more information, contact:
Sports Board Punjab
Government of the Punjab
National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99232501, +92-42-99232502
E-mail: info@punjabsportsboard.com
Website: http://sportsboard.punjab.gov.pk

Lahore, November 23, 2022 (PPI-OT):Newly-appointed Vice-Chairman Sports Board Punjab MPA Malik Nadeem Abbas Bara took charge of his office at National Hockey Stadium on Friday. MPAs Malik Karamat Ali Khokhar, Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokhar and Malik Sarfraz Hussain Khokhar were also present on this occasion.

Talking on this occasion, Vice-Chairman Sports Board Punjab MPA Malik Nadeem Abbas Bara expressed his determination to take all possible measures and utilize all resources for the promotion of sports culture across the province.

For more information, contact:
Sports Board Punjab
Government of the Punjab
National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99232501, +92-42-99232502
E-mail: info@punjabsportsboard.com
Website: http://sportsboard.punjab.gov.pk

Lahore, November 23, 2022 (PPI-OT):Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood inaugurated Sports Board Punjab’s first Cricket Academy at newly-constructed five pitches outside Punjab Stadium on Friday. The cricket academies at all Divisional Headquarters were also inaugurated online simultaneously with the launching of this academy.

Vice-Chairman Sports Board Punjab MPA Malik Nadeem Abbas Bara, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta, Secretary Culture Asif Bilal Lodhi, Additional Secretary Malik Sanaullah, Commissioner Lahore Amir Jan, Director General Sports Punjab M Tariq Qureshi, Director Admin Syed Umair Hassan, Lahore Qalandars CEO Atif Rana, former Test cricketer Aqib Javed also graced the occasion with their presence.

Besides them, Director Sports Chand Perveen, Deputy Directors Tariq Wattoo, Rauf Bajwa, Divisional Sports Officer Tariq Khanzada, senior coach Shaista Qaiser, DSO Tanveer Shah, several national male and female cricket stars including Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Sidra Ameen, Javeria Khan, senior table tennis official Irfan Ullah Khan and dozens of male and female cricket players and other top officials also attended the launching ceremony.

Director General Sports Punjab M Tariq Qureshi highlighted different features of the academy in his detailed briefing to Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood on this occasion.

Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood, Vice-Chairman Sports Board Punjab MPA Malik Nadeem Abbas Bara and Commissioner Lahore Amir Jan also played cricket on this occasion.

While talking to the media, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood said that this Cricket Academy is definitely a wonderful sports facility for young and talented cricket players. “Definitely, it is a historic day when Sports Board Punjab is launching its own cricket academy. Top national coaches and trainers will impart training to young cricketers at the academy,” he informed.

Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Taimoor Masood expressed his determination that these cricket academies will produce sufficient back-up talent for the national cricket team in future. “Pakistan will get several star Cricketers from these academies in the years to come,” he expressed his anticipation.

He said Sports Board Punjab has provided a suitable platform to emerging cricket players. These academies are no less than a blessing for potential cricketers. “The young emerging players must avail these academies to polish their game under the supervision of expert coaches,” he added.

While giving briefing Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi said that this academy is a continuation of Sports Board Punjab’s campaign to launch academies of different sports across the province. “There are 95 fully prepared cricket grounds in different cities of the province. The branches of this cricket academy will be operated at these venues,” he added.

Director General Sports Punjab M Tariq Qureshi further said that the arrangements of this academy have been completed in a short time of one and half month. “As many as 1052 male and female players were registered in just two days which is a great achievement. Top women cricketers will also train female players at the academy,” he added.

Former Test cricketer Aqib Javed on this occasion said that Sports Board Punjab’s academy has great significance as far as training of future stars is concerned. “The talented players from this academy will be further trained at Lahore Qalandar High Performance Centre and given an opportunity in PSL matches as well in future”. Former Test cricketer Aqib Javed further said that the time is not far when this academy will produce stars like Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf in near future.

For more information, contact:
Sports Board Punjab
Government of the Punjab
National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99232501, +92-42-99232502
E-mail: info@punjabsportsboard.com
Website: http://sportsboard.punjab.gov.pk

Lahore, November 23, 2022 (PPI-OT):Youth Affairs and Sports Department Punjab, on the directions of Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta, organised the Karvan-e-Khudi painting competition, the last programme of Iqbal Day celebrations, under the title of ‘Design Poetry’ to pay homage to great philosopher of East Dr Allama Iqbal and highlight different features of his life and poetry at Nishtar Park Sports Complex E-Library on Thursday.

Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta also witnessed attractive paintings of young artists and distributed prizes among top position holders. Director Admin Syed Umair Hassan, Assistant Director Youth Affairs Nazish Noor and other officials were also present on this occasion.

Hundreds of male and female painters including sports persons from various educational institutions of the province participated in Karvan-e-Khudi painting competition, held in collaboration with Punjab Information and Technology Board (PITB) on the eve of Iqbal Day.

Hira Irshad was the winner of painting competition and was awarded a cash prize of Rs 25,000, runner-up M Junaid Younis Rs 20,000 while the third position holder Seher Anwaar got a cash prize of Rs 10,000. Talking on this occasion, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta appreciated the performance of young male and female painters in Karvan-e-Khudi painting competitions. “The talented painters beautifully highlighted different features of Iqbal’s life and poetry through their paintings,” he added.

Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta further said that Youth Affairs and Sports Department Punjab has organized several programmes to pay a befitting tribute to the great philosopher and highlight Iqbal’s Pegham-e-Khudi.

Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta informed that Youth Affairs and Sports Department Punjab also organized a visit to Javed Manzil Museum to make the youth aware of different historic features of Iqbal’s life and poetry besides holding programme of ‘Karvan-e-Iqbal’, Pegham-e-Khudi, grand exhibition of paintings and artworks regarding Iqbal’s revolutionary poetry and Pegham-e-Khudi in connection with Iqbal Day celebrations.

Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta further said that we will also hold similar programmes on the eve of Quaid Day in future. “These days, the Youth Affairs and Sports Department Punjab is also organizing a unique awareness campaign to save youth from the destructive addiction of drugs and electronic gadgets. So far we have organized our awareness programmes in three colleges and we are targeting to hold such programmes in 20 different male and female educational institutions”.

For more information, contact:
Sports Board Punjab
Government of the Punjab
National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99232501, +92-42-99232502
E-mail: info@punjabsportsboard.com
Website: http://sportsboard.punjab.gov.pk

Lahore, November 23, 2022 (PPI-OT):Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta visited different sports venues in Rawalpindi Division and inspected the various under-construction sports projects and other facilities on Thursday.

Director Admin Syed Umair Hassan, Divisional Sports Officer Rawalpindi Division Waheed Babar, District Sports Officer Rawalpindi Shamas Tauheed Abbasi, Deputy Director PMU and relevant officers of PMU Department were also with Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta during his inspection visit.

During his inspection visit, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta visited Liaquat Bagh Stadium, under-construction 4-storey hostel, under-construction gymnasium hall, under construction swimming pool, squash courts, different offices and grounds. Moreover, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta also reviewed the progress of gymnasium for table tennis and badminton events in Rawalpindi Division.

Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta reviewed the renovation and uplift work and issued strict instructions to officers concerned to complete the construction work as early as possible.

Talking on this occasion, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Ehsan Bhutta said after completion these facilities could prove to be great sports venues for talented male and female athletes of Rawalpindi Division. “Sports and Youth Affairs Department Punjab will continue to provide valuable sports facilities including different stadiums, gymnasium halls, swimming pools and multiple sports courts to young emerging athletes belonging to different sports disciplines,” he added.

For more information, contact:
Sports Board Punjab
Government of the Punjab
National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99232501, +92-42-99232502
E-mail: info@punjabsportsboard.com
Website: http://sportsboard.punjab.gov.pk