‘Khailta Punjab’ Programme to promote sport culture’

LAHORE: Punjab Youth Affairs Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar has announced that Punjab Youth Affairs Department would organise ‘Khailta Punjab’ Sports Programme in the coming weeks. This unique programme will help a lot in promoting true sports culture among the talented youth of the province.

He made this announcement during his first meeting with newly appointed Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Muzaffar Khan and DG Sports Punjab Pervez Iqbal at National Hockey Stadium here on Monday.

While issuing instructions to Secretary Youth Affairs and DG Sports Punjab, the provincial minister said that all the under-construction sports development schemes should be completed on time.

“The sports and healthy activities will be promoted among the younger generation according to the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz,” he added. Khokhar said that transparency would be ensured at every cost in the completion of sports projects and all possible measures will be taken for the development of sports in the province.

Meanwhile, newly appointed DG Youth Affairs Punjab Pervez Iqbal assumed the charge of his office on Monday. Pervez Iqbal, who has vast experience of administration, had also served on key posts like Special Secretary Local Government, Director General Special Education and Deputy Managing Director Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) in the past.

After taking charge, he met with the senior officers of department, gave a detailed departmental briefing about the performance and other major features of their respective departments.

During the briefing, the new DG Sports Punjab was told that there are 538 sports facilities in the province and the work is in progress on 81 schemes. There are 41 Tehsil Sports Complexes while 21 cities of Punjab have the facility of hockey turf.

Talking to the officers, Pervez said that the welfare of sportsmen is our mission and we will take all possible measures for the promotion of sports in the province. 'Sports Board Punjab will work hard for the development of sports under the leadership of provincial sports minister.'