Director General Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar inaugurated the 26th National Junior Table Tennis Championship at a colourful opening ceremony at Nishtar Park Sports Complex (NPSC) Gymnasium Hall. Secretary Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) Ahmer Malik, President Punjab Table Tennis Association Irfanullah Khan, Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, Deputy Director Shahid Nizami, Assistant Director Raees ur Rehman, Administrator NPSC Gymnasium Hall Mustafa Shah, organizing secretary Sabah Waris and a large number of young players were also present on this occasion. DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar and Secretary Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) Ahmer Malik also played a few shots on this occasion to start the championship. DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar was warmly received by Punjab Table Tennis Association officials at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall. All the participating players and officials were also introduced with DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar, who was chief guest on this occasion. The participation of two overseas young players - Faizan Sadiq from Abu Dhabi and Muhammad Amjad from Saudi Arabia is another notable feature of the junior championship.
While talking to media, Director General Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar said Sports Board Punjab has started its preparations for National Games scheduled to be held in October this year. “We are organising regular sports events despite severe summer weather conditions. Recently, we organized Punjab Inter-Division (Open) Snooker Championship at NPSC Gymnasium Hall and All-Punjab Age Group Swimming Championship in Gujrat. A 2-day archery championship is also going to be staged in Murree early next month,” he explained.
“We are going to spend very busy time in July 2019. We will hold camps for National Games, 7-Game camps and Summer Swimming camp during the next month”.
Replying a query, DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar said: “The performance all the participating players in all sports competitions is being monitored thoroughly and on the basis of their performance and conduct the shining players will be picked up for National Games”.
Giving more details of the championship, DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar informed that the teams from four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Islamabad are taking part in the National Junior Table Tennis Championship being organised under the aegis of Punjab Table Tennis Association and in collaboration with Sports Board Punjab (SBP).
Replying a question, DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar said it’s quite fortunate that Sports Board Punjab revived Annual Sports Calendar programme and Punjab Games quite successfully after the gap of eight years. “It is just beginning. Our actual goal is to prepare quality players for bigger international sports events like Olympics, Asian Games, SAF Games and Islamic Games etc,” he elaborated.
Secretary Pakistan Table Tennis Federation (PTTF) Ahmer Malik and President Punjab Table Tennis Association Irfanullah Khan thanked DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar for making excellent arrangements for National Junior Table Tennis Championship and providing best facilities to participating players.