APP
PESHAWAR
The atmosphere is conducive for holding Pak-Afghan Games which help strengthen our brotherly ties besides providing due opportunities to the youth of both countries to get much needed international exposure.
This was stated by Additional Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shakeel Qadir while talking to media men here on Friday during his visit at the inauguration of the Boxing event jointly organized by Pakistan Boxing Council and Directorate of Sports Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is ready to host these Games. Shakeel Qadir said that such Games would help the youth of both Pakistan and Afghanistan to compete against each other and get much needed international exposure.
He said involving youth in healthy sports facilities and promotion of sports are one of the top priorities of the government, Additional Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shakeel Qadir added. He also appreciated Pakistan Boxing Council for holding such event in which professional and international pugilists from Pakistan and Afghanistan are taking part in 12 different weight categories including light weight, featherweight, super Bantamweight, super featherweight, feature weight, welterweight, super welterweight, light heavyweight, super featherweight and heavyweight.
Accompanied with Secretary Sports Abid Majeed, Director General Sports KP Asfandyar Khan Khattak, District Sports Officer Peshawar Tehseen Ullah, Administrator Shah Faisal, ACS Shakeel Qadir said that there is more potential of sporting activities between Pakistan and Afghanistan and that should be explore for the betterment of our youth, both from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Additional Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir visited Peshawar Sports Complex and formally inaugurated the boxing event where in 12 boxers from Afghanistan including Yama Saqi, Mahabat, Khalid Safi, Tariq Ahmad, Hamid Safi, Atiq Ullah, Abdullah Umer, Abdul Wali, Saleem, Akbar Dilsoz, Taimur Khan and Rehan.
The Pakistan boxing comprising Umair Zafar, Zubair Khan, Shams-ur-Rehman, Wajid Ali, Sajid, Muhammad Usman, Rafiullah, Raza Ullah, Muhammad Abdullah and Said Mohammad.
Earlier, ACS Shakeel Qadir formally inaugurated the boxing event and later on had a full round of the Peshawar Sports Complex. Director Development Niamat Ullah Khan and other personalities were present. There are 48 international events organized by Pakistan Boxing Council, Secretary Pakistan Boxing Council Kaleem Ahmad Azad informed ACS Shakeel Qadir.
He said, currently 110 international professional male and 18 female boxers are affiliated with Pakistan Boxing Council (PBC) and are constantly taking part in various international events. Additional Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir said that the provincial government has started projects worth Rs 4.5 billion for the promotion and development of sports.
He said tourism is among the priorities of the government. These projects will provide the best facilities to the players and will further develop the sports. Replying to a question, he said that the project of Arbab Niaz Cricket Stadium in Peshawar has also been reviewed. He said construction work is in full swing over Hayatabad Cricket ground and after completion Peshawar would become the city having two international standard cricket ground facilities up to the standard setup by International Cricket Council (ICC).
He said unfortunately we have missed hosting PSL-6 matches in Peshawar but by next year with the grace of Almighty Allah Peshawar city would be hosting PSL and other international cricket matches. The Chief Minister KP Mahmood Khan is very keen in bringing international cricketing events to Peshawar besides other sporting events. He said that plans have also been made for integrated districts and several projects have been approved of worth Rs. 7.5 billion. He said, in just two and half years after the merger, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has sincerely taken steps to have international standard facilities.
In response to a question, Additional Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir said that Pak-Afghan are also interested in hosting the Games and if given the opportunity, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government will host the Games. “We are ready for this,” he said, adding, “It will be of great benefit to the players of both the countries.” During his visit to various sports venues at Peshawar Sports Complex, Shakeel Qadir congratulated DG Sports and his team for their due commitment toward promotion of sports in the province.
