Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry has inaugurated Punjab Inter-Division Women Hockey Tournament at the National Hockey Stadium on Monday.
Director Sports Rana Nadeem Anjum, Punjab Women Hockey Association President Abida Tanveer, Secretary Punjab Women Hockey Association Rahat Khan, Director Tournament Chand Perveen, international women umpire Beenish and other officials were also present on this occasion.
The teams from all the divisions are participating in the 7-day tournament. The winning team will be given a cash prize of Rs three lakh, runners up team will pocket Rs two lakh while the 3rd position holder team will be awarded a cash prize of Rs one lakh.
The players and team officials of all the participating teams were introduced to Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry. National anthem was also presented on this occasion.
Talking to media, Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry said that holding Punjab Inter-Division Women Hockey Tournament after a long time is a welcome sign for the future of women hockey. “We are quite upbeat that several potential female players will emerge from this platform”.
Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry further said that top performing players of this tournament will be given scholarships from Sports Endowment Fund. “The best players will be included in Punjab teams for National Youth Games and national Games”.
He said hockey is our national game and Punjab Sports Department will continue to take effective measures for its revival and promotion across the province.