Top-Level training in full swing at SBP camps ahead of NG

LAHORE: With the 35th National Games just around the corner, Sports Board Punjab (SBP) has ramped up preparations by organizing high-intensity training camps across multiple disciplines at the Nishtar Park Sports Complex. Expert coaches continued to deliver top-level training sessions to male and female athletes in sports such as judo, wushu, table tennis, and karate on Thursday.

Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab, Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry, paid a detailed visit to the ongoing training camps, inspecting both male and female squads. During his visit, he closely observed the training drills and techniques employed by the coaches and interacted directly with the players to assess their progress and address any concerns regarding facilities.

Speaking to the media, DG Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry reaffirmed the department’s commitment to athlete development. “Sports Board Punjab is ensuring that all players are provided with world-class facilities and coaching at these camps,” he stated. “We are optimistic that Punjab’s athletes will bring pride to the province by delivering exceptional performances at the upcoming National Games in Karachi from May 1 to 9.”

The camps, led by SBP’s panel of certified coaches, are focused on not only teaching modern sports techniques but also enhancing the physical fitness and tactical readiness of the players. Athletes undergo bi-daily fitness routines, technical drills, and strategic workshops to build competitive sharpness.

A notable feature of the camps is the inclusion of exhibition matches, particularly among the female athletes in judo, karate, and wushu. These mock contests are designed to replicate match-day pressure, improve stamina, and polish match-readiness. The initiative has also been lauded for promoting gender-inclusive sports training, as female athletes train under the same standards and expectations as their male counterparts.