LAHORE, Apr 02 (APP):A new glorious era of sports is going to begin in the Punjab province with the launching of 72nd Punjab Games at various venues in the city and scores of players will display their talent and technique at one platform.
This was stated by Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti while addressing a press conference at National Hockey Stadium Tuesday.
Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar will grace the colorful grand opening ceremony of Punjab Games being organised by Sports Board Punjab (SBP) with the collaboration of Punjab Olympic Association at various venues in city from Wednesday to April 6.
Secretary Sports Punjab Nadeem Mehboob, Director General Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar, Secretary, Punjab Olympic Association Idris Haider Khawaja and other top officials were also present on this occasion.
Giving details of the Games, Punjab Sports said that around 3000 male and female players and technical officials will take part in 30 games. “Male players will exhibit their skills in 21 games, female athletes in seven disciplines while special children will also be given chance to feature in two games,” he elaborated.
“As many as 158 sports competitions will be held at around 20 venues during the 4-day Games in which 1030 medals will be distributed among prominent performers,” he asserted.
Replying a question Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said: “The basic objective of the games is to provide male and female athletes a suitable opportunity to demonstrate their talent and promotion of sports culture in the province.”
He said the United Nations’ International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) will be celebrated during the closing ceremony of 72nd edition of Punjab Games on April 6, 2019. “Our athletes will hold White Cards during Peace March at the closing ceremony of Punjab Games to show solidarity with peace,” he added.
“The Punjab Games is an appropriate platform to reflect the peaceful image of Pakistan. Our youth will demonstrate great zeal and passion to promote the message of Peace through Sports,” she said.
Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti informed that a 10-bed hospital has also been established at Nishtar Park Sports Complex to cope with any injury or health issue during Punjab Games. “Members of Pakistan contingent that won 65 medals including 19 gold medals, 28 silver and 18 bronze medals in Special Olympic World Summer Games at Abu Dhabi, will also attend the opening ceremony.”
Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti further said that players of transgender community will also exhibit their skills in three events – chaati race, tug-of-war and sack race during the 72nd Punjab Games 2019.
Secretary Sports Nadeem Mehboob, on this occasion, said that Sports Board Punjab has chalked out sports activities till December. “Sports Competitions are being organised regularly at divisional level which is a major development in the province.”
Director General Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar said all the arrangements have been completed for the mega Punjab Games. “We will provide best sports facilities to participating athletes during the Games,” he said.