ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has said development of sports infrastructure and its patronage at grassroots level can help Pakistan make a come back in all fields of sports.
In an interaction with the legends of cricket, hockey, squash and athletics here at the President House on Tuesday evening, the President said every possible effort would be made for the patronage of sports and players in the country.
The function was part of a series of events organized in connection with the Pakistan Day celebrations that gathered renowned players of their times including cricketers Mushtaq Muhammad, Majid Khan, Wasim Bari, Javed Miandad, Sadiq Muhammad; Hockey stars Islahuddin, Shahnaz Sheikh, Manzoorul Hassan and Manzoor Junior; Squash heroes Jehangir Khan and Qamar Zaman; athletes Muhammad Younus and Abdur Razzaq; Boxer Kausar Abbas and Baseball player Kamran Mehboob.
President Mamnoon Hussain said sport legends are the heroes of nation who brought laurels to the country by proving their mettle in their respective fields.
Paying tributes to the former sportsmen, the President said the nation had not forgotten them and their contribution for the country, and they still lived in the hearts of people.
He stressed the need for practicing honesty and dedication besides shunning corruption to thrive again in the field of sports.
He said the government was already striving for promotion of sports, however added that he would suggest the government for further strengthening of infrastructure and also improving the financial conditions of players through job security.
To the suggestions of sports legends, the President said he would do all possible to flourish cricket, hockey, squash and athletics in the country.
The former sportsmen thanked the President for inviting them for an interaction with him and recognizing their services.
Cricket legend Majid Khan said the absence of infrastructure was the major factor of lagging behind in sports. Wasim Bari said sports should be run as an industry, while Javed Miandad and Sadiq Muhammad termed maladministration as the biggest problem in the field of cricket. They also stressed strengthening the game of cricket at school and college levels to make it flourish.
Hockey heroes Islahuddin and Shahnaz Sheikh called for job security of players to end their financial issues and encouragement of youth to play hockey.
Squash legends Qamar Zaman and Jehangir said squash needed the patronage of government.
The interaction session was conducted by Dr Nauman Niaz, Director Sports PTV.
Later, the President gave away shields to the sports legends in recognition of their services.
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