Youth can be saved from extremism by promoting sports: Hamza Shahbaz

Lahore: Hamza Shahbaz MNA has said it is a good omen that Pakistan has become a member of World Boxing Council for the first time. He said that young generation can be saved from extremism, drugs and other negative activities by promoting sports activities. He said that our youth is very talented and can win laurels for the country. He said that our players have given an identity to Pakistan throughout the world. Government is utilizing all out resources for the encouragement and patronage of youth, he added.

He expressed these views while talking to the members of a delegation of World Boxing Council currently on a tour to Pakistan, at Model Town Secretariat of PML-N today. Provincial Minister for Sports Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Tahia Noon, Mansha Ullah Butt and Imran Ali Goraya were also present on the occasion.

The delegation was led by President World Boxing Council Mauricio Sulaiman. Hamza Shahbaz Sharif said it is encouraging and good omen for our young boxers that Pakistan has become a member of World Boxing Council which will help Pakistani boxers to make their career in boxing at international level. He said that boxer Muhammad Ali and Mike Tiseon are very popular in Pakistani youth and the scope of boxing is very bright in the country.

He said that Pakistani players are ambassadors of the country at the world level. He said that Punjab Youth Festival organized by Punjab government has given recognition to the young players and students at the provincial level. He said that Pakistani players have also attracted the world attention by setting dozens of world records during Punjab Youth Festival. He said that Punjab government has taken a revolutionary step by setting up an endowment fund of one billion rupees for the promotion of sport activities in the province.

He said that sports events and play grounds are reorganized in every city of the province as the government is determined to make the youth, who are 65 percent of the total population of the province, useful citizens of the society through channelizing their energies in a positive direction. He said that government and international institutions will have to patronize sports at international level to encourage the youth. He expressed the hope that after becoming a member of the world boxing council, Pakistani boxers will also have the councils’ patronage and guidance in training of international standard.

Hamza Shahbaz Sharif welcomed the members of delegation in Lahore and informed them history and culture of the city.

President of the World Boxing Council Mauricio Sulaiman said that Pakistan has a lot of boxing talent and young Pakistani boxers have the ability to reach top level in the field of boxing. He assured that World Boxing Council will help in training of Pakistani boxers.

Provincial Minister for Sports Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Tahia Noon and Syed Ali Raza Shah also expressed their views. President of the World Boxing Council Mauricio Sulaiman also presented world champion belt to Hamza Shahbaz Sharif.