Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry said that Punjab’s top performing athletes in the upcoming 35th edition of National Games will be inducted in the list Punjab Sports Endowment Fund beneficiaries. He made this announcement while addressing a crowded press conference at the National Hockey Stadium on Tuesday.
Director Admin Abid Shaukat, Director Sports Rana Nadeem Anjum, Punjab Olympic Association (PbOA) CEO Idris Haider Khawaja, SBP Chief Sports Consultant Hafeez Bhatti and other officials were also present on this occasion.
Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry said that Punjab’s 500-member contingent will participate in 26 sports disciplines during the 35th National Games being organised at Karachi from December 6 to 13, 2025. “Prior to training camps, Punjab’s male and female teams were selected purely on merit in transparently held trials”.
Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry has said that Punjab’s athletes have been imparted best possible training during the 12-day training camps at multiple venues of Nishtar Park Sports Complex for participation in upcoming 35th edition of National Games.
Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry said that expert coaches taught modern techniques to improve the game skills of Punjab athletes at the training camp. “We are quite upbeat that Punjab athletes will produce better results in the forthcoming National Games than previous editions”.
Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry said that Punjab Chief Minister is taking full interest in Punjab contingent’s preparations for National Games. “Punjab Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar will be the head of Punjab contingent in National Games. Sports Board Punjab provided top quality facilities to all camp probables during the training camps”.
Replying a query, Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry said that hockey is our national game and Punjab Sports Department is going to provide astro-turfs in all the cities of Punjab in accordance with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister. “Several top players including whole volleyball team, who are receiving scholarships from Punjab Sports Endowment Fund, are part of Punjab contingent”.
Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry thanked the Punjab Olympic Association and all sports associations of province for their valuable role in the formation and preparation of Punjab contingent.
PbOA CEO Idris Haider Khawaja, in his address, said that Sports Board Punjab under the leadership of Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry has worked hard for better results in the National Games. “Two doctors will also accompany the Punjab contingent to cope with any medical emergency during the 8-day National Games”.
Idris Haider Khawaja said that Director General Sports Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry has announced a cash prize package for the winning teams and players of Punjab contingent. “Sports Board Punjab and Punjab Olympic Association have selected athletes on merit through joint trials”.