Karachi
The 34th National Games 2023 Torch Relay Drive Ceremony was hosted by Iqra University (IU) in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC) on May 6. The torch relay drive would be held in Quetta from May 22 to 30, 2023. It was initially commenced from Mazar-e-Quaid in the morning, after which the torch was lit traditionally.
Later, the torch made its way to Iqra University’s main campus.The chief guest of the ceremony was the Sindh Provincial Minister for Labour Saeed Ghani and several dignitaries attended the event including the Karachi Administrator Dr. Saif-ur-Rehman, HEC Director General Sports Javed Ali Memon, former captain of the Pakistan Hockey Team Nasir Ali, CEO of Dr. Essa Laboratory and Diagnostic Centre.
Prof. Dr. Farhan Essa, Chairman Pakistan Karate Federation, Mr. Muhammad Jahangir and Sindh Agriculture University Vice – Chancellor Prof. Dr. Fateh Muhammad Marri including the sports enthusiast students of Iqra University.Sports play a vital role for every healthy society,”said Mr. Ghani while addressing the ceremony.”
Sports will keep the youth away from all the negative activities and after playing at the national level, these participants will get the opportunity to showcase their talent on an international level,” he said, adding “Pakistan currently has the largest percentage of young people ever recorded in history, hence, they should be provided with healthy activities.”
The ceremony was hosted by the senior Sports Journalist Mirza Iqbal Baig who commended Iqra University and its esteemed President and Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof. Dr. Wasim Qazi’s efforts in putting together such ceremonies.
“Iqra University has won around 446 medals in sports up till now,” said Mr. Baig while addressing the audience in the university’s auditorium. According to the senior sports journalist, Quetta has been given the honour to host the 34th National Games 2023 Torch Relay Drive after 14 years.
“It’s a message of peace which has started from Karachi, will travel to Peshawar, Islamabad, Muzaffarabad, Lahore before reaching Quetta on May 14,” said Mr. Jehangir.”We are also planning to host a sports competition which would be organised by HEC at Iqra University,” he informed the audience.
The HEC sports director general highlighted that through this torch, we want to convey the message of peace and harmony. He informed the audiences that the representative of Balochistan was also present at the tomb of Quaid.
“Balochistan is in our heart. I would like to thank the chief secretary of Balochistan for supporting us. We will keep promoting the emerging talent of sports in Pakistan and we should give this opportunity to the youth to create a positive impact of sports in the country.”Moreover, the guest of honour Dr. Essa said, “I believe that along with education, sports is equally important for the grooming of the students.”
He further maintained that it feels amazing to know that a large contingent of around 800 athletes under HEC is going to participate in the national games this year. He also appreciated the management and on-ground administration team for arranging such a wide magnitude sports event in Quetta.
He also highlighted that hosting similar sports events in future may one day help us in bringing international cups to host in Pakistan and may prove as a key indicator to tackle the economic crisis. Moreover, the Karachi Administrator Dr. Rehman was pleased to attend this ceremony. “I want Karachi to host more such events as it will promote peace and harmony in the city,” he said.
The esteemed vice-chancellor Prof. Dr. Qazi concluded the ceremony by appreciating and expressing gratitude to the participants, chief guests and audience for being a part of this ceremony.”I would like to thank the youth of this torch relay who belong to various universities of Pakistan for participating in the 34th National Games 2023 Torch Relay Drive,” he said, adding that sports play a significant role in the success of a country in various ways.”
It promotes the physical fitness and health, boosts the economy and foster the national pride and unity of the country,” he said. He highlighted the fact that sports have an immense potential that can be realised from the figures of $230 billion generated by Qatar being the recent host of FIFA World Cup who purposely spent $6.8 billion on its infrastructure development.
At the end, shields were awarded to all the guests and Olympians present in the ceremony.
