‘Sports sector can help increase exports’

Jang Economic Session

LAHORE: Effective national strategy is required for different sectors of the economy to increase the exports while the sports sector can play a vital role in increasing exports.

These views were expressed by experts in Jang Economic Session on ‘Historic cricket win – how will Eid’. The panellists were former chairman of PCB Khalid Mehmood, Dr Qais Aslam, Mohsin Bhatti, students Hafiz Shahrukh and Hassan Ubaid. The session was hosted by Sikandar Lodhi.

Khalid Mehmood said good performance in games is identity of the nations while the recent win against India has energised the nation which was also appreciated by Indians as well. He said cricket win has united the nation and this impact was observed in every nook and corner of the country.

Furthermore, the people of Kashmir also openly supported Pakistan and celebrated the win. He believed Pakistani players will enjoy more playing opportunities at international level as a result of the win. He said Pakistan is known for cricket and squash while Pakistani team’s performance is Eid gift for nation.

Dr Qais Aslam said that players should be selected from all regions without any bias as games can play vital role in peace and diplomacy. He called for focusing on other games, including hockey and squash. He said Pakistan-India cricket match re-emerged the nationhood and given new life to cricket.

Mohsin Bhatti said that Pakistanis celebrated win against India like Eid and shunned their difference for it. He called for similar confidence and patriotism for country while such victory should be the regular feature to keep this determination alive. He suggested appointment of the experts concerned at sports bodies and institutions while the PCB should also improve administrative matters for continuation of such performance. 

Hafiz Shahrukh and Hassan Ubaid said that war was started between the youths of two countries on social media before the match and it was twitter war. They said young players had taken responsibility and performed well despite all pressure and the cricket management should encourage them. They called for creating such opportunities for other sports too. They believed that talent exists at every stage but needs to explore and provide them opportunities. They said Indian team has disappointed their nation while Pakistani team has raised the nation.