PESHAWAR
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali warmly received the Torch of the 34th National Games from former World Champion Qamar Zaman and four times international gold medalists athlete Bahre Karam at the colourful ceremony organized at Governor House on Monday.
Senior Vice President Pakistan Olympic Association and President KP Olympic Association Syed Aqil Shah, Vice President Pakistan Hockey Federation and former IGP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Syed Khan, ex-home Secretary Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, Provincial Caretaker Ministers, Office-bearers of the KP Olympic Association, Chef de Mission KP Contingent Ilyas Afridi, Deputy Chef de Mission Miss Safina Babar (Nowshera) and Miss Sumayyah (Swat), international athletes and people from different walk of life attended the ceremony.
The Torch entered into the Governor House after visiting to PAF Base Peshawar, a round of interior city, Peshawar Museum, historical Qisa Khawani, Gol Ghatri, Sehti House in a traditional Tangha relay and was warmed received by Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Haji Ghulam Ali.
Speaking on this occasion, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa appreciated the government of Balochistan for hosting the Games and assured them full support. He said hosting of the 34th National Games in Quetta, Balochistan would give a message of peace to the rest of the country and world.
He said it would be a big achievement that Balochistan is going to host the Games in a befitting manner and athletes coming from all across Pakistan would be facilitated. He also urged upon the athletes to keep unity in their ranks and extend all out support in a cause wherein Balochistan comes up and hosts the Games.
He said travelling of the Torch to the whole of Pakistan is actively conveying a message of peace and brotherhood. He said despite the financial crunch, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government provided Rs. 38 million to Directorate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and KP Olympic Association to send 400 athletes contingent to Quetta for Games.
He said steps have been taken by the provincial and central governments for the promotion of sports in the province and it is good that talented players are coming to the National team of various Games. He expressed hope that these players would achieve name and fame for the country at national and international levels.
He said sports and Olympic Torch are actually teaching us peace, unity, sportsmen and sportswomen spirit, brotherhood and a sort of competitions through which any talent could come up to the main stream of selection.
He said the Torch is highlighting unity among all the federating units who are playing under the charter of Olympic and urged upon the athletes to keep up peace in their ranks for a prosperous Pakistan.
Earlier, Governor KP handed over the Torch to four times International Gold medalist athlete Bahre Karam and international boxer Hadia Kamal.
