ISLAMABAD, May 17 (APP): Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) organized a cash award ceremony to honour the country’s medal-winning athletes and coaches, in recognition of their outstanding performances at international competitions.
The athletes and coaches received cash awards during the ceremony held at a local hotel. Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah was the chief guest, while Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC) Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani, PSB Director General Muhammad Yasir Pirzada, Pakistan Squash Federation General Secretary Air Commodore (R) Amir Nawaz, Pakistan Taekwondo Federation President Col (R) Raja Waseem Ahmed and other officials also attended the event. Speaking on the occasion, Rana Sanaullah announced that the government had increased cash prizes for athletes who bring honour to the country at the international level.
He said the initiative aimed to encourage talented youth to excel in sports and represent Pakistan with pride.
As part of this initiative, cash prizes of Rs 20 million were distributed among winning players to encourage them. An endowment fund has also been established to provide financial security to athletes and their families, allowing them to focus on their fitness and sports without financial burdens.
The athletes who received awards had won medals in the 22nd Asian Junior Squash Team Championship held in Hong Kong in February, the WSF World U23 Individual Squash Championship held in Karachi in April, and the 7th Asian Open Taekwondo Championship (G-2) organized in Islamabad in February. Bronze medalists of the Asian Junior Squash Team Championship — Anas Ali Shah, Abdullah Nawaz, Sakhiuallah Tareen and Noman — received Rs 375,000 each, while their coach Faheem Gul and assistant coach Faraz Muhammad were given Rs 125,000 each. Noor Zaman, who clinched the gold medal in the World U23 Individual Squash Championship, was awarded Rs 5 million. His coach Faheem Gul, assistant coach Faraz Muhammad and physical trainer were each awarded Rs 833,333. From the Asian Open Taekwondo Championship, gold medalist Haroon Khan received Rs 2 million, while silver medalists Shahzaib Khan, Abubakar Siddique, Noman Khan, Mazhar Abbas, Hamzah Omar Saeed and Fateemaah Tuz Zahraa were each awarded Rs 1 million. Bronze medalists Ghulam Muhammad, Muhammad Tayab, Hussain Anjum, Muhammad Iqbal and Faizan Junaid received Rs 500,000 each. Coaching staff Yousaf Karami, Syed Sadaqat Hussain, Ghazanfar Ali and Ms Najia Rasool were each given Rs 250,000. A total of Rs 20.75 million was distributed among the medal-winning players and coaches.
Rana Sanaullah highlighted that under the Prime Minister’s directives, several measures had been taken to promote sports in the country, including the up-gradation of facilities and enhancement of cash incentives for athletes competing at international, national and regional levels.
The government is introducing a new policy for departmental sports, aimed at furthering the professional careers of athletes. Additionally, elections of the Football Federation will be held soon, with the goal of electing hardworking and professional individuals on merit to lead to progress in football in the country, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, PSB Director General Muhammad Yasir Pirzada said the initiative to award cash prizes was a practical step towards implementing the government’s vision to honour the country’s sports heroes. He said such recognition would continue in the future to boost the morale of young athletes and encourage them to strive for excellence.