Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar inaugurated the 4th Blind T20 Cricket World Cup by playing a shot at a colorful opening ceremony at Alhamra Hall on Friday.
Provincial Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar unveiled the T20 Blind World Cup trophy in the opening ceremony. He also presented a cheque of Rs 20 million to Chairman Pakistan Blind Cricket Council (PBCC) Syed Sultan Shah on behalf of the Punjab government for holding the mega event in an appropriate manner.
Secretary Sports Punjab Muzaffar Khan Sial, Director General Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry, Chairman PBCC Syed Sultan Shah, Director Admin Dr M Kaleem, blind cricket teams, executives and officials from hosts Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and South Africa also participated in the grand opening ceremony.
National Anthem and Blind World Cup documentary was also presented at the colourful opening ceremony. Austrian singer Adriana Galani sang melodious Urdu songs. Besides this, folk artists also presented cultural songs, performances, and dance of Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Balochistan to receive huge appreciation from a large crowd.
Addressing the grand opening ceremony, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar welcomed all the visiting teams. “Sports spread a message of love and it is a great feeling that Lahore is hosting the Blind World Cup”.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar expressed his disappointment over the absence of India from the Blind Cricket World Cup. “Setting aside politics, Indian cricket team should have participate in the Blind Cricket World Cup”.
Punjab Minister for Sports Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar added that several issues can be resolved through sports diplomacy. “We are ready to take all possible measures to remove hatred. Our message is peace and love and we will continue to spread our message”.
He said the Punjab government is providing all resources for the development of sports and maintenance of sports infrastructure and provision of best sports facilities to all talented athletes is our top priority,” he asserted.
Punjab Minister for Sports Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar lauded all the players who are taking part in the T20 World Cup. He also congratulated all the organizers of the Blind Cricket World Cup and all those who contributed to the development of blind cricket in Pakistan.