Chairman Punjab Sports Board Hamza Shahbaz Sharif said on Monday that Punjab Sports Festival 2012 would start from February 28 with a grand function to be held at National Hockey Stadium Lahore. Speaking at a press conference on Monday he said that the biggest ever sports gala in the history of Punjab has reached at district level through UC and Tehsil level.
He added that the Punjab government had provided 18219 sports facilities by restoring 4312 sports grounds in all over the province. Hamza said that restored sports grounds would not be left unattended and the Punjab government would make law to secure these spots for public so that powerful segments of society could not grab them again. He said that sports grounds and facilities are great asset of the nation especially for the youth and it was our responsibility to protect them.
He said that the Punjab government has constituted district sports councils in each district in order to promote sports. These councils would be autonomous in their financial and administrative matters and they would have two percent of district budget every year, he added.
The winning teams at UC, Tehsil, District and Division level in the categories of schools, colleges, universities, press clubs, bar associations, special children and general public would march in this mega event and it would be well participated by 60,000 people including sports veterans, prominent players and renowned figures of art and culture. A 17 kilometer long marathon and 40 and 80 kilometer cycle race will also amuse the citizens.