Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti inaugurated the Chief Minister Punjab National Karate Championship 2019 at a colourful opening ceremony at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall on Friday.
Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, Director Admin Javed Chohan, Pakistan Karate Federation (PKF) Chairman Muhammad Jahangir, PKF President Ahmed Baig, PKF General Secretary Andleeb Sandhu, IOC Scholarship holder Saadi Abbas, Uzma Asghar Aulakh, Ada Jaffri and a large number of karate players and officials were also present on this occasion.
Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti, who was the chief guest of the opening ceremony, was warmly received upon reaching NPSC Gymnasium Hall. He was also introduced with the players of 11 participating teams - Punjab, KP, Sindh, Balochistan, Islamabad, Wapda, Army, Railways, Police, Navy and HEC teams - at the opening ceremony.
Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti, Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh, Director Admin Javed Chohan and other distinguished guests also witnessed the exciting competitions for some time.
PKF General Secretary Andleeb Sandhu presented the welcome address. She highlighted the achievements of Pakistan karate players in different international karate events. Earlier, young girls presented National Anthem on drum beat and won huge appreciation.
On the opening day, Army annexed one gold medal and one silver medal. Wapda karatekas clinched one gold and a bronze while Balochistan had to content with two bronze medals. The Railway team bagged one silver and one bronze medal.
Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti and Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh awarded medals to prominent performers.