Blind World Cup starts in Lahore

Lahore : The 5th Blind Cricket World Cup got under way with a grand opening ceremony at Al-Hamra Cultural Complex on Sunday.

Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada inaugurated the mega event by playing a shot.

The traditional performances of all the four provinces were presented in the opening ceremony. Special students also presented beautiful tableau on this occasion.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada said this is the historic day for Pakistan. “We are proud to host Blind Cricket World Cup match.

The holding of Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan is enough to tell the rest of the world that Pakistan has defeated terrorism. We say welcome to visiting Nepal and Bangladesh blind cricket teams,” he added.

Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif put in special emphasis on sports department like other key departments. “Punjab govt gave a huge amount for the holding of Blind World Cup besides extending administrative cooperation. We want to see disabled people leading a normal life and express their hidden potential in a suitable manner. We also want to evolve a solid collective strategy along with participating countries for the welfare of blind and other disabled people,” he opined.

“Hosting the Blind World Cup is definitely a big honour for the entire Pakistan nation. Through Blind World Cup we will be able to present our true culture and traditions to the world community. I would like to thank all the participating teams and congratulate the Pakistan Blind Cricket Council for hosting grand world event in Pakistan,” he stated.

Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada informed that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif too various effective measures for the promotion of sports and welfare of sportsmen.

“The rapid construction work is underway at over 200 development projects in Punjab under Annual Development Programme besides establishing and Endowment Fund with a hefty amount. Special people will also get sufficient help from this fund. A blind cricket stadium laced with all modern facilities, is also being built at Rakh Jhedo area with a cost of Rs 127.765 million”.

Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada said: “I’m proud of our national blind cricket team which has won several laurels for the beloved motherland”.

In his address, Pakistan Blind Cricket Council Chairman Syed Sultan Shah said that hosting Blind World Cup is good omen for cricket future in Pakistan. “I’m thankful to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada for extending every kind of cooperation. Punjab govt provided us hefty amount for organizing the grand event,” he added.

Syed Sultan Shah presented a souvenir to Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada on this occasion. Secretary Special Education Khalid Mehmood was also present during the inaugural ceremony.