PSB holds National Women Pentathlon C’ship prize distribution ceremony

Lahore: Sports Board Punjab (SBP) will continue to provide suitable platform to talented sports persons in future and now it’s their turn to win laurels and titles for the country, these views were expressed by Director General Sports Punjab Usman Anwar while addressing the prize distribution ceremony of National Women Pentathlon Championship at Punjab Football Stadium here on Thursday night.

DG SBP Usman Anwar, who was the chief guest on this occasion, distributed prizes among the prominent performers of the championship. The prize distribution ceremony was attended by Riaz Fatyana, President Pakistan Modern Pentathlon Federation (PMPF), Mrs Abida Umar, Chairperson PMPF Women Wing and Tanzila Amir Cheema, vice-president PMPF besides large number of pentathlon players from all the five participating teams – Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Balochistan and Islamabad. PMPF also hosted a dinner in honour of participants of the ceremony.

DG SBP said pentathlon was a new game in Pakistan but the prospects are bright for its growth because there is no scarcity of potential in our country. “Our youth just needs proper platform, guidance and motivation and we are ready to provide these facilities to our budding youth,” he stressed. “I have visited several countries but found Pakistan above the rest when it comes to potential,” he added.

He announced that top coaches and trainers from different countries will be invited to Pakistan to groom our budding youth as per the requirements of international sporting challenges.

Riaz Fatyana, President PMPF, in his address, expressed his gratitude to Usman Anwar for endowing all the facilities during the championship. Lauding the services rendered by DG SBP, Fatyana said that there was nothing in Sports Board Punjab until a couple of years ago but Usman Anwar, through his sheer hard work, gave new life to the SBP and its sporting activities. “All the credit goes to DG SBP for holding several major sporting events including Punjab Youth Festival editions during the last couple of years,” he further added.

Mrs Abida Umar, Chairperson PMPF Women Wing and Tanzila Amir Cheema, vice-president PMPF also spoke on this occasion and thanked the Sports Board Punjab for extending all facilities during the maiden women pentathlon championship.

Punjab women pentathlon team, on January 21, with 3048 points, had won the first National Women Pentathlon Championship. Sindh finished the championship as runners up with 2423 points. Balochistan girls scored 2385 points to remain third followed by Islamabad women team who managed 2312 points. The pentathlon players from Khyber Pakhtunkhawa finished last with 2276 points in the 2-day championship.