Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar inaugurated Punjab Open Chess Championship at the Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall on Friday.
Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Muhammad Ali, Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi, Director Admin Abid Shaukat, Director Sports Rana Nadeem Anjum and officials from Punjab Chess Association were also present on this occasion.
The 2-day Punjab Open Chess Championship is being held under the aegis of Punjab Sports Department.
Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that practical steps are being taken for the promotion of sports across the province according to the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. He said that attracting the youth towards positive activities is one of the priorities of the government and a healthy environment is being provided to the young generation by establishing top standard sports infrastructure.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar further said that chess is a mental and strategic game which highlights the ability of the youth to think, plan and make quick decisions. The Punjab government is taking effective measures to promote every field of sports so that national and international level athletes can emerge from the province.
Earlier, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Muhammad Ali has reviewed the arrangements of the championship. Punjab Sports Department has made special arrangements for refreshments and Sehri for all participating players and free accommodation facility for players coming from other cities. The participating players have thanked the Punjab Sports Department for making the best arrangements.
As many as 350 male and female players including 110 master players, 140 new players, 70 U-16 players and 20 girls from all areas of Punjab are participating in the Punjab Open Chess Championship.