The Punjab province is entering in a new era and the provincial sports ministry will utilise all of its resources for the promotion of sports and welfare of sports community; these views were expressed by newly appointed Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Ayub Khokhar in his first press conference after assuming his charge at National Hockey Stadium on Friday.
Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Raja Jahangir Anwer, Director General Sports Punjab Dr Asif Tufail, Director Sports Yasmeen Akhtar, Director Youth Affairs Rana Nadeem Anjum and other officials were also present on this occasion.
Addressing the press conference, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Khokhar said Punjab govt will give utmost importance to sports activities as per the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He said all the talented young players of the province will be given equal opportunities to show their true sports abilities.
He said that there is zero tolerance on corruption in Punjab’s Sports Department. “It is Punjab Chief Minister's Redline and we will ensure transparency at every level in Punjab’s Sports affairs. Implementing thorough discipline in Punjab Sports Department is also among our top priority. Ghost employees have no place in the Sports Department”, Provincial Sports Minister Punjab added.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Khokhar said a top class sports complex will be built in every city of Punjab on the pattern of Lahore city. “I’m sports minister of whole Punjab not only Lahore and that’s why we will put our focus equally on all cities of the province and their sports structure”.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Khokhar further said that the traditional and regional village sports will be revived. “According to the vision of Chief Minister Punjab, grounds will also be built in villages. International coaches will also be invited to train our athletes. We are also preparing a roadmap for the whole year to engage the youth in healthy sports activities”.
Ealbborating further Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Khokhar said that every officer and employee of Punjab Sports Department will be accountable for their performance. “We will also take all important steps to resolve funding issues”.
He added that Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has special focus on youth. “Youth is our main strength and that is why the Chief Minister of Punjab has mentioned the youth in her in the first speech”.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Khokhar highly praised the effective initiatives taken by DG Sports Punjab, especially the annual sports calendar, registration of sports clubs and establishment of Institute of Sports Sciences Punjab (ISSP). “A new javelin gift will be given to national hero Olympian Arshad Nadeem”.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Khokhar further said that effective and useful projects of previous eras will be continued. “We will give due respect to every person who will bring a new idea for the promotion of sports culture. We are also going to involve the private sector for the growth of games trend among the youth,” he added.
Replying a query, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Khokhar said women are not given due attention in the past but we will give them due respect and will organize maximum sports events for them. “All resources will be used for the development of healthy sports activities among the younger generation. Schools will be provided best sports facilities to incline youth towards sports activities”.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Khokhar said that bringing the children, who are spoiling their time in electronic gadgets like mobile and lap top, to the fields is the first priority. “All possible resources will be provided to players to participate in national and international sports competitions”.
He informed that special attention will be given to social media. “A new portal will also be created in accordance with modern requirements. Sports will be developed across the province according to the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz,” he added.
The provincial sports minister also congratulated the newly elected officials of the Sports Journalists Association of Lahore (SJAL).
Earlier, Secretary Sports Punjab Raja Jahangir Anwar and DG Sports Punjab Dr Asif Tufail accorded warm welcome to Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Ayub Khokhar upon reaching Sports Board Punjab.
Prior to press conference, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Raja Jahangir Anwar and Director General Sports Punjab Dr Asif Tufail gave a detailed briefing about Punjab’s various sports achievements and Sports Board Punjab’s ongoing and completed sports development projects.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Faisal Ayub Khokhar expressed his satisfaction over the in-depth briefing which was given with the help of slides.