CM Punjab PSA Satellite Squash Championship concluded at the Punjab International Squash Complex on Wednesday.
Punjab Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar was the chief guest on this occasion.
World squash legend Jahangir Khan and Provincial Minister for Irrigation Muhammad Kazim Ali Pirzada also attended the closing ceremony. Secretary Sports Punjab Fazal-ur-Rehman, Director General Sports Punjab Muhammad Tariq Qureshi and other officials were also present at the closing ceremony.
Provincial Minister for Irrigation Muhammad Kazim Ali Pirzada and Director General Sports Punjab distributed Rs one million in prize money among the winning players at the closing ceremony.
Talking to the media on this occasion, Punjab Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said the provincial government had fulfilled its commitment to restore the Punjab International Squash Complex, which has now resumed sporting activities and is hosting competitions. "It is a matter of great happiness that young players are now playing at this world-class facility,” he said.
Punjab Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that the construction of the squash complex had been initiated 35 years ago and now this facility has been fully completed. “The squash complex has not only been restored physically but has also become vibrant with players and sporting activities,” he said.
He added that the revival of sporting activities at the complex is an important achievement of the Punjab government and the Sports Department.
Punjab Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that providing world-class sports facilities to young athletes is a priority of the provincial government. "The presence of squash legend Jahangir Khan at the ceremony is an honour for them. The international squash court at the complex would be completed within a few months".
Speaking about the CM Punjab Youth Games,
Punjab Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said the Punjab Sports Department is going to organise the event with a target of more than five million young people participating. "Students from educational institutions as well as seminaries in Punjab would also participate in the Youth Games. More than 550,000 young people have so far registered for the CM Punjab Youth Games,” the minister said.
Punjab Sports Minister Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar further said that sports facilities in Punjab are being developed and operated through public-private partnerships, with facilities being handed over to organisations capable of promoting players and sporting talent in a better manner.
Speaking on the occasion, world squash legend Jahangir Khan said Pakistani squash had a glorious past and effective efforts are needed to restore the country’s position at the international level. “There is no shortage of talent among Pakistani players. They only needed proper facilities and expert coaching to excel at international events,” he said.
Jahangir Khan said merit and the involvement of relevant people were essential for the development of sports.
Meanwhile, Sui Northern Gas’ Tayyab Aslam won the CM Punjab PSA Satellite Squash Championship, defeating Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Shamlan Gul in straight games. Tayyab secured victory with scores of 11-5, 14-12 and 11-6.