ISLAMABAD (Big Digit) Government committed to promoting sports under the leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif; Rana Mashhood Ahmed

( Asghar Ali Mubarak )

ISLAMABAD (Big Digit) Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan has said that the federal government is committed to promoting and developing sports under the leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif. He said that the role of Pakistani media during the struggle for justice was exemplary and the whole world has recognized the professionalism of Pakistani media. Addressing a delegation of Rawalpindi-Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA) at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, he stressed the government’s commitment to providing opportunities for young players on the basis of merit.
He congratulated the newly elected office bearers Patron Abdul Muhi Shah, Chairman Shakeel, President Abu Bakr Bin Talat, General Secretary Syed Arsalan Shirazi, Finance Secretary Nasir Abbas Naqvi, Senior Vice President Zulfiqar Baig, Vice President Asghar Ali Mubarak, Vice President Aqeel Anjum, Joint Secretaries Hafiz Obaidur Rehman and Asim Riaz, Executive Body member Faheem Anwar Khan, Afzal Javed, Zahid Farooq Malik, Nasir Aslam Raja, Zeeshan Qayyum, Sohail Raja, Arfa Feroze Zaki, Kiran Khan, Owais Abbasi and Farhan Jafri and expressed hope that the newly elected office bearers would play their full role for the betterment of sports.
He said that the federal government is trying to include Pakistani youth in all walks of life. Through the Prime Minister Talent Hunt Program, we are looking for natural sports talents like Arshad Nadeem and our goal is the Olympics.
The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Chairman revealed that the government is working on infrastructure development, revival of departmental sports and talent hunting under the Prime Minister Youth Programme.
He highlighted the plans to set up academies for talented players and continue the positive sports culture started in Punjab. He said that a key focus would be on the Arshad Nadeem Centre of Excellence, for which substantial funds would be allocated and a master plan would be prepared in consultation with stakeholders including the Pakistan Olympic Association. Under the Prime Minister Youth Programme, player development initiatives are being implemented in nine different sports this year. He said that we have immense talent in the country and we should provide opportunities on the basis of merit.
RISJA Patron-in-Chief Abdul Muhi Shah discussed the role of club-level sports, while Chairman RISJA Shakeel Awan explained the role of the Sports Board and the Olympic Association under the sports policy.
Senior Vice President Zulfiqar Baig highlighted the importance of journalists. While Vice President Asghar Ali Mubarak demanded mandatory announcement of sports competitions at club, school, university, union council, tehsil and district levels. He said that sports competitions like the Chief Minister Punjab Games should be held at the national level.
Senior journalists Shakir Abbasi, Dr. Zahid Awan and others also presented their ideas for the promotion of sports based on their vast experiences.