LAHORE: MNA, Hamza Shahbaz Sharif has said the participation of the countries like America, Australia, England and India in the Punjab International Sports Festival conveyed a clear message to the entire world that security situation has improved in Pakistan for holding international events in a successful manner.
He was speaking at a dinner reception hosted by Sports Board Punjab in the honour of participating teams of the Punjab International Sports Festival (PISF) 2014 here at the National Hockey Stadium on Thursday night. Provincial Minister for Sports Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Director General, SBP.
Usman Anwar, Australian High Commissioner for South Asia Trading H.E. Nicola, former ex-cricket team captain Saleem Malik, M. Hafeez, Intikhab Alam, singer Waris Baig and players and officials of all the PISF participating teams graced the occasion as guests of honour.
Hamza Shahbaz warmly who is also the Chairman Sports Board Punjab Steering Committee welcomed all the guest teams and officials and lauded the efforts of the Punjab Youth Festival organisers for holding the event in a successful way.
"It is a heartening sign that foreign teams have started visiting Pakistan and their presence will help in improving overall standards of sports in the country," he added.
"The Guinness World Record (GWR) confirmation of Pakistan records has shut the ill-informed critic's mouth who wanted to defame the country," he stated. Hamza stressed upon expanding the Punjab Youth Festival from the provincial level to country level.
"We helped Balochistan in holding their Sports Festival in a befitting way and now we are ready to extend our assistance to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government for holding their sports festival so that their youth may also enjoy all the sporting facilities at their home grounds".
"In the coming three years, the budget of the youth festival will be increased up to Rs. 10 billion.
The Sports Endowment Fund will be very beneficial for every player of the country.
The festival is being organised only for the benefit of the country's youth providing them a platform to showcase their talent and earn good name for the country at National And International Level," he asserted.
Provincial Minister for Sports Rana Mashhood said that the arrival of foreign teams had revived International sports in the country and made the home grounds populous.
"The credit of International sports revival goes to Punjab Government as we have not only brought foreign teams to the country, hosted them well with foolproof security but have also provided the sports loving Nation an opportunity to witness the International teams in action in their home grounds.
The outcome of this International festival will be more positive in the years to come," the Minister concluded.
Lauding the Punjab Government for hosting them in a well-organised manner, all the foreign teams and players thanked the hosts for their hospitality and love and termed the country safe for holding all kinds of sporting events. "During our entire stay, we felt no fear rather we are enjoying our tour. We have been provided foolproof security so making the security an issue is totally baseless." MNA. Hamza Shahbaz also presented souvenirs to guest teams and officials.
Comments
Comments are closed.