Punjab Games starts in Lahore

Lahore : Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti inaugurated the 72^nd edition of Punjab Games at a colourful grand opening ceremony at Punjab Stadium on Wednesday night.

Secretary Sports Punjab Nadeem Mehboob, Director General Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar, Secretary POA Khalid Mehmood, MPAs, politician Uzma Kardar, Advisor to Chief Minister on Sports Umer Farooq, Secretary General Punjab Olympic Association Idris Haider Khawaja, former DG SBP and President Punjab Olympic Association Aamir Jan and ex-DG SBP Zulfiqar Ghumman were also present at the grand inaugural ceremony.

The colourful opening ceremony was also witnessed by a large number of male and female players, sports officials and office-bearers of Punjab sports associations.

While addressing the grand opening ceremony, Punjab Minister for Sports Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti welcomed all the participants in the Punjab Games being organized after the gap of 8 years. “It’s wonderful achievement of Sports Board Punjab and Punjab govt to hold mega event after such a long time”.

Punjab Minister for Sports Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti announced that more big sports events will be organized in future under the vision of Prime Minister. “There was no sports infrastructure in around 40/50 tehsils during the previous eras but we are building multipurpose sports gymnasiums in various tehsils of the province”.

The Punjab Stadium was decorated with eye-catching lights and banners. Male and female players of all nine divisions took part in march past. The contingents of Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and medal winners of special Olympic Games in UAE also took part in march past.

Young boys and girls also presented excellent aerobics and gymnastic performances during the opening ceremony. The performance of Turkish origin dance Tanuora won huge appreciation from the large audience. Renowned singer Sahir Ali Bagga also amused the audience with melodious songs.

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) was also celebrated during the opening ceremony of 72nd edition of Punjab Games. The athletes of all nine divisions waved White Cards to show solidarity with peace.

Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti awarded souvenirs to SBP officials, Vice-Chairman Pakistan Special Olympic Games Anees ur Rehman, POA Secretary Khalid Mehmood, Idris Haider Khawaja, Secretary Sports Punjab Nadeem Mehboob.

Secretary Sports Punjab Nadeem Mehboob also presented a shield to Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti on this occasion.

Punjab Games torch was also lit on this occasion. Pakistan’s first-ever woman Olympic athlete Shabana Akhtar received Punjab Games torch from former kabaddi captain Shafiq Chishti. National male and female athletes Ushna Sohail, Zarina Waqar, Kh Junaid, Rabia Ashiq, Farhan Amjad and Inam Butt also ran with Punjab Games torch during the mega opening ceremony.

It may be noted here that Sports Board Punjab (SBP) is organising 72nd edition of Punjab Games with the collaboration of Punjab Olympic Association at various venues in the city from April 3 to 6, 2019. DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar thanked all the sports teams, sports officials, artists, performers and singers for their participation in the grand event.