The two-day CM Punjab Swimming Academies Championship, organised by the Sports Board Punjab, has commenced at Punjab International Swimming Complex on Thursday.
Secretary Sports Punjab Fazalur Rehman was the chief guest at the swimming competitions. Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi, Deputy Director Zahoor Ahmed, Swimming Pool In-charge Amir Shah, Hafeez Bhatti and a large number of young swimmers and their parents were also present on the occasion.
A total of 800 male and female swimmers of U-6 to U-19 age group participated in competitions of five categories - 25m Kick Board Race, 25m Floater Race, 25m Backstroke, 25m Breaststroke and 25m Freestyle.
Talking to media, Secretary Sports Punjab Fazalur Rehman said that children are participating in the swimming competitions with great enthusiasm. “Sports academies are providing children with opportunities to learn and develop their sporting skills”.
Secretary Sports Punjab Fazalur Rehman said that it is encouraging to see a large number of young children joining the sports academies. “The Punjab Sports Department is promoting healthy and positive sporting activities”.
Secretary Sports Punjab Fazlur Rehman also enquired from young swimmers about the facilities being provided at the CM Punjab Swimming Academy.
Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi said that a majority of participants in the swimming competitions are children between 6 and 19 years of age. “These competitions are part of the first phase of the CM Punjab Sports Academies”.
Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi said that in the next phase, free sports academies will be established across all districts of Punjab. “One of the main reasons for Pakistan's underperformance in international competitions is the lack of a strong grassroots talent nursery”.
Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi said that the sports academies are developing a new generation of sporting talent. “These children will go on to bring glory to Pakistan at the international level”.