Youth Talent Hunt Table Tennis Provincial League opened

PESHAWAR: Special Assistant to Prime Minister and Chairman of Prime Minister Talent Hunt Youth Programme Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan Friday inaugurated the Youth Talent Hunt Table Tennis Provincial League.

The event got underway under the aegis of the Directorate of Sports Islamia College University Peshawar at Lala Rafique Sports Arena.Islamia College University Peshawar Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Ali Muhammad, squash legend Qamar Zaman, Director of Operations Azizullah and Organizing Secretary Ali Hoti, officials from Higher Education Commission Adnan Saeed, Muhammad Awais Mirza and others were present.

In the first phase, trials were held in all five regions including Swat, Hazara, Mardan, Bannu and Peshawar wherein five boys and as many girls were selected to compete in the Provincial League in the second phase, which was kicked off here.

Vice-chancellor Ali Muhammad welcomed the visiting dignitaries to the historic Islamia College. He said such activities were very important for the physical and mental development of youth and sports can reduce depression and increase the tendency towards positive activities.

He said Islamia College had provided many stars to the country in various sports. Currently, a number of international cricket players produced by the college are representing Pakistan and other countries such as fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Shinwari, star wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan and several players in Afghan cricket team. Similarly, in hockey, table tennis and other games Islamia College has given legends to the national teams.

Director Sports of ICU, Ali Hoti was thankful to HEC for selecting Islamia College for the talent hunt. He expressed gratitude to Rana Mashood, and Javed Memon of HEC for showing their love for the players of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Speaking as chief guest on the occasion Rana Mashood said that the PM Youth Program was aimed at highlighting the talents of youth to enable them to face future challenges.He said that the government was committed to providing equal opportunities to youth in sports competitions irrespective of gender discrimination so that they could shine the name of the country at national and international levels.

The talent hunt programme, he said, would play and provide a suitable platform for the youth to demonstrate their hidden talent in 12 male and 10 female games.He said that sports have been given the status of an industry in developed countries and this is the reason why they have done outstanding work in the field of sports. Rana Mashood lauded the players for their active participation in games which leads to their physical and mental health.

Rana Mashood said Table Tennis is a sport that promotes mental and physical abilities. “Games teach the lesson of competition and I believe that providing equal opportunity to the youth across the country to participate in sports events will lead to a healthy society,” he added.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had initiated sports projects as well as Youth Loan Scheme along with Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme and gave top priority to work for the welfare of youth of Pakistan.

The special assistant said the Talent Hunt Programme under HEC would give ample opportunities to the youth to come and show their hidden talent. He said through this programme provincial and national leagues would be conducted in which boys could take part in 12 different games while the girls would participate in 10 different games.