LAHORE, Apr 24 (APP):’Get inio Rugby’ programme is in full swing in various cities of the southern Punjab under the supervision of Pakistan Rugby Union.
Manager, PRU, Syed Mozzam Ali Shah said the programme is successfully continues in Southern Punjab under the able guidance of development offers and coaches of the PRU.
“We are quite impressed to see the talent of male and female players and we are confident that with proper training coaching they have the potential to become quality rugby players in due course of time,” he added.
He said at the moment Fort Abbas and Chistian are the two cities where special emphasis is being laid on ‘Get into Rugby’ programme.
“Our Coach Abdul Moqeet is doing a great job there and it is a good sign that 150 boys and 100 girls of Golden Gate School Fortabbas are learning basics of rugby,” he said Govt High School Mangher Sharif Chistian’s 250 boys are leaning the game. A strength of 150 boys and 150 girls players of Qiadat Public School Fortabbas are also engaged in get into rugby programme.
Pakistan Rugby Union is one of top unions in the world and Asia who successful run this project from last two three years. Meanwhile Chairman, PRU Fawzi Khawaja said, “We are delighted that rugby is at a rapid rise in Pakistan and in short span of five years we have achieved very productive results as far development of the game is concerned at all levels.”
He said now in every city even in every union council of the south Punjab we have rugby teams.
“World rugby and Asia rugby have already appreciated Pakistan Rugby union efforts to promote rugby on grass root level. Now we have Rugby grounds all over. Not only in south Punjab also in Fata, Quetta, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, Lodhran, Multan, Mehsli, Fort Abbas, Muzafarghar, Bahawalpur, Bahwalngar and Lahore and in many their other cities,” he maintained.
“We hope we grow further more as we progress. GIR programme is running under ‘Asia Rugby Asia One million project’ that we in Asia try to reach one million boys and girls for rugby,” he said.
‘Get into Rugby’ programme in full swing in Southern Punjab
People to vote for those doing politics of public service, honesty: CM
LAHORE, April 24 (APP):PML-N President and Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said that there was only room for the politics of welfare of 22 crore people of Pakistan and the PML-N government had moved forward development agenda despite impediments.
On the other side, he said, the sit-in group remained engrossed in the negative politics of allegations and falsehood. The conscious people were totally fed up with the elements involved in mendacity, he added.
These elements were defeated in the elections of 2013 and would meet the same fate in 2018 as well, he said and added the elements engaged in the politics of baseless allegations and falsehood had inflicted damage to the national interests. These elements had meted out cruelty with the people by prioritizing their personal interests and the nation would fully reject them in the next elections, he claimed.
The people would give their votes to those doing the politics of public service, honesty and trust, he added.
Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed these views while talking to elected representatives who called on him here.
He said that sagging economy that government inherited in the past had been restored due to solid and transparent economic policies. “Our government has completed record projects of public interest by better utilization of national resources. The credit of industrial development and strengthening of economy goes to the PML-N government,” he said.
“Pakistan of today is much more secured, prosperous and economically viable than before,” he said and added the mission of bringing improvements in the lives of impecunious strata would be fulfilled and the PML-N government would continue to selflessly serve the masses.
Shehbaz Sharif pointed out that different steps taken for public welfare and prosperity had yielded positive steps.
Meanwhile, those impeding the journey of national development and prosperity had remained unable to fulfill their desires, he added.
He said the groups propagating disappointments in the people had become a victim of their negative designs, adding, these elements continuously wasted time of the people for five long years and made efforts to obstruct the journey of development.
The Chief Minister said that Zardari and Niazi were two sides of the same coin. One ruined the KPK while other devastated Karachi and the whole of Sindh, he said and added, those who obstructed the journey of development through sit-ins, chaos and agitation had made cruelty with the nation.
He said that those who neglected energy projects and plunged the country to darkness in their tenure would have to be answerable for their misdeeds. He said that due to the plunder of corrupt rulers of the past, the country remained a hostage to poverty, ignorance and backwardness. These elements were again dreaming to rob the national resources by coming into power, he added.
The people had not forgotten the corruption of these past rulers, therefore, they should stop dreaming of marauding the national resources again, concluded the Chief Minister.
PHF’s comprehensive effort to put domestic structure right: Naveed Alam
LAHORE, Apr 24 (APP):Director Development and Domestic, Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), former hockey Olympian Naveed Alam has reiterated that the three phase process of Inter Club Competition, Club’s Scrutiny
and Elections will go a long way in putting the domestic hockey structure at right place and thus help reinvigorate Pakistan’s national sport.
He was addressing a press conference at the National Hockey Stadium here on Tuesday.
“PHF desires that the genuine hockey clubs and players as well as game’s true lovers and patrons get due recognition and representation,” he said adding “PHF is committed to streamlining hockey affairs in the larger interest of the game and these efforts are part of it.”
The inter-club competition is being organised in all 144 districts of Pakistan and it will serve as an effective medium to unearth wide range of hockey talent to expand the base of the game, he added.
“It has already started at several places and will hopefully finish by the end of this month,” he said adding “However, considering the enormity of the task, it may be extended for a few days.”
These inter-club competitions will be conducted under the supervision of the PHF and will include technical delegates, observers and district sports officers.
“We will ensure that club championship is organised in a way in which genuine clubs take part,” he said.
Once, the inter club is over, the scrutiny process will start and the entire process will be conducted in a transparent manner, said the PHF official.
The teams will be photographed. Each club must have its own ground with a minimum of 14 active players. All the matches are to be video recorded. This will help to judge if the club has genuine players. The club is restricted to have a maximum of three departmental players.
“The players’ CNIC/B Forms will be authenticated and they will be registered only at the place of his domicile,” he added.
The former Olympian said the scrutiny committees have almost been finalised and will be announced soon by the Chief Election Commissioner whose name will be announced in a few days.
“The last phase of the Elections will be held the same day in all the districts throughout the country. Only the clubs identified as genuine will be allowed to participate in the elections,” he said.
The districts’ elections will be followed by the divisional, provincial and national elections in that sequence.
To a question, he said, PHF President Brigadier (retd) Khalid Sajjad Khokhar has emphasised that the whole process should be transparent with full implementation of the laid down procedures.
Answering a question, Director Development and Domestic agreed that many people will get unhappy during this process, “You can’t satisfy everyone when conducting an exercise to get rid of bogus clubs and people with self interests, who are least bothered by Pakistan hockey’s
decline”.
“All this process has been approved by the PHF Congress and Executive Board,” he added.
Wapda to honour its Commonwealth Games medal winners
LAHORE, Apr 24 (APP):Wapda Sports Board will organize a ceremony on Wednesday at Wapda office in honour of its players who won medals in recently concluded Commonwealth Games at Gold Coast Australia.
Cash awards will be presented to Wapda medalists in the ceremony. Lt-Gen (retd) Muzammil Hussain, Chairman Wapda/Patron-in-Chief Wapda Sports Board, will be the chief guest on the occasion.
Iqbal’s ideas still quite relevant: Irfan Siddiqui
LAHORE, Apr 24 (APP):Advisor to Prime Minister on National
History and Literary Heritage, Irfan Siddiqui on Tuesday said
the ideas, revolutionary concepts and thoughts of great poet
and philosopher Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal are still quite relevant
in the present day.
Addressing a two-day Iqbal conference titled “Challenges to
humanity in the lights of Iqbal’s thoughts” at Aiwan-e-Iqbal
here, he said Allama Iqbal had never been irrelevant in
their lives, as he was not only their past and present but
also future as well.
He said Iqbal’s message of inspiration and
motivation provided guidance even for living in the modern era
and can help set right direction leading to a successful life.
“We have to strive for establishment of the Pakistan
which was dreamt by Allama Iqbal, and in this regard, the role
of young generation is eminent, he added.
Irfan Siddiqui appreciated the efforts of National
History and Literary Heritage Division’s team led by its
Secretary Engineer Aamir Hassan for holding an important and
informative conference after a long pause of 16 years to
highlight Iqbal’s philosophy.
Addressing on the occasion, Punjab Governor Muhammad
Rafique Rajwana said Iqbal’s poetry was of cosmic
nature stressing on the concept of self belief, adding that
“We should set right direction in the light of Iqbal’s
poetry.”
He stressed the need for upholding the philosophy,
thoughts and ideology of Allama Iqbal, who always inculcated
hope, courage and national unity among the Muslim.
The Governor said Iqbal’s message of peace and co-
existence was relevant to cope with socio-economic challenges
of the present days.
He also inaugurated a unique cell-phone application
having special features of Iqbal’s four poetic books. After
installing the application, the user can easily access any of
the Iqbal’s verses through this application.
Later, the Governor presented shields to Irfan Siddique,
Aamir Hassan, Prof Rafiuddin Hashmi and others as a memento
to the conference.
COAS reaches Russia, meets Commander Russian Federation Ground Forces
RAWALPINDI, Apr 24 (APP):Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa has reached Russia on official visit, said a press release issued here by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Tuesday.
The COAS met Commander Russian Federation Ground Forces, Colonel General Oleg Salyukov at Kremlin Palace. Upon arrival he was presented guard of honour. He also laid wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier. National anthems of both the countries were played.
The Russian Ground Forces Commander acknowledged achievements of Pakistan army in the fight against terrorism and contributions for regional peace and stability. He said that
Pakistan was a geo-strategically important country and Russia is keen to expand its existing bilateral military-to-military cooperation.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa thanked Russian Ground Forces Commander and said that Pakistan reciprocated desire of enhanced bilateral military engagements. He said that Russia had recently played a positive role to help resolve complex situations in the region.
He said Pakistan would continue to play its part to keep conflicts away from the region and seek approaches, which bring regional convergences into play rather that the divergences.
Saudi envoy inaugurates King Abdullah Teaching Hospital Mansehra
MANSEHRA, Apr 24 (APP):Ambassador of the custodian of the two holy mosques to Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Nawaf Almalki inaugurated King Abdullah Teaching Hospital here on Tuesday.
The project was executed by Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) at a cost of Rs 823.5 million.
The hospital has the capacity of 285 beds and it spans over an area of 198,724 square feet.
PM condemns Quetta terror attack
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP):Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Tuesday strongly condemned terror attack in Quetta resulting in loss of precious lives and injuries to many.
The Prime Minister has expressed his deep sympathies with the bereaved families.
Saudi envoy inaugurates King Abdullah Teaching Hospital Mansehra
MANSEHRA, Apr 24 (APP):Ambassador of the custodian of the two holy mosques to Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Nawaf Almalki inaugurated King Abdullah Teaching Hospital here on Tuesday.
The project was executed by Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) at a cost of Rs 823.5 million.
The hospital has the capacity of 285 beds and it spans over an area of 198,724 square feet.
Pakistan’s diplomacy initiatives towards France strengthening mutual relations: Moin ul Huq
ISLAMABAD, Apr 24 (APP)::Pakistan’s envoy to France said economic and public diplomacy initiatives launched by the Embassy of Pakistan to France are contributing towards strengthening of relations between the two countries.
While briefing the 19-member delegation of National Defence University (NDU) of Pakistan which called on him at the Embassy in Paris Ambassador Moin ul Haque said both the countries enjoyed mutually warm relations, a message received here said.
“Pakistan and France have a solid base for partnership in the political, economic, defence, education and cultural fields and enjoy commonality of views on many important global issues,” he added.
The delegation – comprising senior officers from Pakistan’s Armed Forces and allied officers from Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and USA – is visiting France as part of their National Security & War Course being held at the National Defence University, Islamabad.
Ambassador said that the Secretary General of French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is expected to visit Pakistan in the near future to review and hold dialogue on whole range of bilateral relations with its Pakistani counterpart under the institutional mechanism of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC).
He noted that regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations were also contributing in bringing a qualitative change in bilateral relations.
The ambassador noted with satisfaction a steady increase in the volume of bilateral trade over the last few years had reached over US$ 1.5 billion in 2017.
He reiterated that this upward momentum will be sustained in the years to come to achieve a higher volume to truly reflect the potential of the two economies.
The ambassador also briefed the NDU delegation about bilateral defence relations and the regular exchanges through the meetings of the Joint Security Commission and Staff Talks held every year alternately in Paris and Islamabad.
During stay in Paris, the delegation will visit various French defence and civil institutions including renowned French companies working in the field of defence.