Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Muzaffar Khan Sial said that Pakistan is ready for hosting the mega event of 14th South Asian Games. These games have great significance for the development of sports in the region. He expressed these views while addressing an important meeting of South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC) delegation at the National Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.
The delegation includes Olympic Presidents of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Nepal including Ashiqur Rahman Miku and Siraj Uddin Alamgir from Bangladesh, Nim Dorji from Bhutan, Thamooh Ahmed Saeed and Ahmed Munthaqim from Maldives, Jeevan Ram Shrestha and Rajiv Shrestha from Nepal, Suresh Subramaniam, Niluka Karunaratne and Ilanga Wijeratne from Sri Lanka, who visited National Hockey Stadium to review the arrangements of 14th South Asian Games.
Director General Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry and other officials warmly received the delegation. Director General Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry also briefed the meeting regarding the preparations of the South Asian Games.
President Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Arif Saeed, Secretary POA Khalid Mehmood, Additional Secretary Sports Mian Usman Ali, Director General Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry, Director Admin Dr M Kaleem, Director Sports Rana Nadeem Anjum, Senior Vice President POA Fatima Lakhani, Chairman Pakistan Karate Federation M Jahangir and other officials also attended the meeting.
Addressing the meeting, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Muzaffar Khan Sial welcomed all the members of SAOC delegation and said that Pakistan has accelerated the preparations of 14th South Asian Games. “The holding of 14th South Asian Games will play a key role in the growth of sports culture in Pakistan,” he added.
President Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) Arif Saeed on this occasion said that National Hockey Stadium has a respectable status in the world of hockey. “The organization of 14th South Asian Games in Pakistan is a welcome sign and it will provide great inspiration to Pakistan athletes belonging to different games”.
Director General Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry said that definitely the holding of 14th South Asian Games will prove to be a great respect for the country at global level. “Several international events, including the ICC Champions Trophy, are being organized quite successfully in Pakistan,” he added.
Director General Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry further said that Pakistan will extend excellent hospitality to all participating countries in the 14th South Asian Games. “The 14th South Asian Games will help a lot in developing the sports in the entire region”.
All the members of South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC) delegation expressed their views in the meeting and appreciated Pakistan’s hospitality and preparations for 14th South Asian Games.
They showed their great pleasure over their visit to Pakistan by saying that Pakistan is a peaceful and beautiful country. “We have been extended every facility over here”.
The members of South Asia Olympic Council delegation congratulated Pakistan on hosting the 14th South Asian Games. The delegation also visited National Hockey Stadium.
Later, Secretary Sports Punjab Muzaffar Khan Sial and DG Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry also presented souvenirs to all members of South Asia Olympic Council delegation and POA President Arif Saeed.