Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar inaugurated the Inter-Division phase of Chief Minister Punjab Summer Games at a colorful opening ceremony organized by the Punjab Sports Department at Nishtar Park Sports Complex (NPSC) Gymnasium Hall on Thursday.
Sports Coordinator Malik Anoosh Khokhar, MPA Saqib Khan Chadhar, Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry, Director Admin Dr M Kaleem, Director Sports Rana Nadeem Anjum, captain of Pakistan’s world cup winning kabaddi team Irfan Mana, in-charge and administrators of all sports venues of Nishtar Park Sports Complex were also present on this occasion.
The teams of all divisions took part in march past during the mega opening ceremony. Later, a melodious musical programme was also presented to amuse the large number sports lovers. Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry presented a souvenir to Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that cash prizes of Rs 75 lakh will be distributed among the top position holders of the grand event. “A total of 9,500 athletes appeared in the massive trials process out of which 702 selected male and female athletes from across the province are participating in this phase of Chief Minister Punjab Summer Games”.
Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that best facilities will be provided to all the participating players and team officials during in the final phase competitions of CM Punjab Summer Games. “The competitions of volleyball, kabaddi, badminton and hockey will be organized during the event scheduled to be held at different venues of Nishtar Park Sports Complex from June 12 to 18, 2025”.
Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar thanked all the players, coaches, and sports officers. “CM Punjab Summer Games competitions of volleyball, kabaddi, badminton and hockey are being organized under the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz”.
Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that better sports opportunities are being provided to young people. “The Summer Games will open new avenues for young talented players of the province. The players will showcase their skills in four different sports in this grand event”.
He said various sports schemes have been launched to promote sports culture at grass root level. The trials, coaching camps, and talent hunt programs are being conducted at tehsil, district and division level. “In the next few months, new multipurpose sports complexes and modern gymnasiums will be built in various parts of the province”.
He said several effective measures are being taken for the true revival of famous games like kabaddi and hockey. “The top position holder athletes of CM Summer Games will be awarded monthly scholarships of Rs 70,000, Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 under platinum, gold and silver categories from Sports Endowment Fund”.
Earlier, Director General Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry in his welcome address said that more than 702 male and female players from Punjab's nine divisions will exhibit their skills during the week-long event. After the trials in 155 tehsils, the final phase competitions are being organised at Lahore.