Speaking as chief guest at the Sports and Cultural Festival of a private group of colleges and inaugural ceremony of an inter-media cricket league, he said that Pakistan was a safe country and homecoming of Pakistan Super League was its manifestation.
He said that implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) in the country had paid dividends and play-grounds in the country were brimming with sports activities.
He said that after the independence, Pakistan proved its mettle in the arena of sports and won medals in various sports including squash and athletics besides winning world cups in hockey and cricket and won laurels in squash and athletics.
The minister said that unfortunately, during the past three decades, the sports witnessed decline like other walks of life and menace of terrorism also affected sports badly.
He said that the present elected government of PTI was taking steps for improving sports infrastructure in the country, whereas the previous government used the sports funds for personal benefits.
He said the government has planned to build good playgrounds at tehsil and union council level. He said that women’s participation in sports activities was vital and they have shown impressive performance in sports arena as well.
He said that sports activities were crucial for a healthy society and the new generation should actively participate in sports activities and reduce time they spend in front of television, computer and cell phone.