Sports leadership is surrounded by many problems:Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada

Lahore: Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada has said that sports is an important pillar of national life and require full attention of all segments of the society. We need to discard the old ruts and conventional approach to bring sports to a respectable level. Unfortunately the majority of sports leadership is surrounded by many problems. We urgently need wise leader in this field to deliver best. They must have presaging quality to combat all challenges in their respective fields of endeavor and must show a greater sense of reasonability.

He was addressing in interactive session “Sports Development in Pakistan” organized by Pakistan Olympic Association in collaboration with Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination in Lahore today.

The Minister said that presentation in this interactive session by the Pakistan Olympic Association is much delayed action. However, I am quite sure and very positive that the presentation and subsequent sharing of ideas by the people responsible for sports will help us to move forward for revitalizing and improving sports.

He added that when I assumed charge as Minister of IPC there was total confusion and chaos in the sports sector as many parallel NOCs were in the field. There was no effective activity of sports, rather sports was in great shambles and doldrums. Sports leadership was divided, parallel bodies were being created and a fight was on in the courts. The role of PSB was under criticism. But there is always a silver lining amidst dark clouds. Unfortunately the sports elder did not settle their disputes. Ones against it was the Ministry of IPC which had to come forward and take effective decisions to settle long pending issues. But the time wasted during this period did great harm to sports. Athletes did not know where to go and thus suffered a lot. Now the situation is different. Ministry of IPC, PSB, POA and majority of the federations are on the same grid.

The Minister said that we are living for the future of our nation. The values and demands of the society are fast changing and same applies to the field of sport .He said that our own Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is the sports person and sports lover himself and our efforts, resource, wisdom and commit ourselves to demonstrate credibility and sustainability for making a healthy and top sporting nation. President Pakistan Olympic Association Syed Arif Hasan and other prominent Olympians were also present.