PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inter-Divisional Women Tchoukball Championship under the aegis of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tchoukball Association got under way with seven teams are taking part at hilly resort Batakundi Youth Hostel, situated some 20 kilometers in scenic valley Naran.
Secretary Sports Muhammad Tahir Khan Orakzai was the chief guest on this occasion who formally inaugurated the Championship. President Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tchoukball Association and former international athlete Muhammad Iqbal, Chairman KP Tchoukball Association Waji Ul Hassan, Secretary Abdur Rashid Anwar, President Women Wing Najma Qazi, members Miss Saeeda, Miss Afsheen, Miss Javeria, District Sports Officer Mansehra Mustafa Khan, international penal referees of Pakistan Tchoukball Federation headed by Nizam Khan (Bannu), Farooq Ahmad (Hazara), Jalal Khan (Charsadda) and scorer Muhammad Asim (Mardan) were also present.
Women teams from Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Kohat, Mardan, Peshawar, Swat, and Hazara are taking part. The colourful opening ceremony was started from the recitation of Holy Quran by Iqra Khan, followed by the National Anthem and March Past of the all the seven participating teams. There was a national song “Tu Be Pakistan Ha Me Be Pakistan Hon” as well sung Hira Khan along with all the participating players.
Speaking on this occasion, Secretary Sports Muhammad Tahir Khan Orakzai appreciated KP Tchoukball Association for organizing Inter-Divisional Women Tchoukball Championship in very famous Youth Hostel at Batakundi, a beautiful hilly resort.
He said it is a good efforts that women from all across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are taking part in the three-day Championship. He said Pakistan has good grading in the Games and specially the women have good talent of the games besides they are excelling in other Games as well.
He also assured the association for extending his full support. He said through this way players from other divisional headquarters would help in interacting with each other besides exchange of different culture.
Muhammad Tahir Khan Orakzai said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is doing sincere efforts to facilitate both female and male athletes. He said a record funds have been allocated for the smooth conduct of various sports besides awarding sports scholarship to positions.
He said development of sports infrastructure is his top most priority so that to help the youth at their door steps that is why work on more than 200 sports projects have been initiated and construction on such projects in final stages wherein 90 percent work have been completed.
He said as desired by Minister Sports and Youth Affairs KP Muhammad Atif Khan directives has been issued to contractors to expedite work on the sports projects across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).
He said various new and approved ADP and AIP schemes and their PC-1, funds allocated for the schemes to that it should be completed within its time frame.
He said, various projects for the promotion of sports in the province including ongoing work on Arbab Niaz and Hayatabad Cricket Stadium, Kalam Cricket Stadium, up-gradation of Qayyum Sports Complex Peshawar, indoor Gymnasium District Buner, District Government land for Tank Sports Complex and construction work on it, tehsil level playground on need basis, establishment of international standard indoor gymnasium in Abbottabad, construction of Sports Complex in Rustam Tehsil, establishment of Squash Courts, Swat Sports Complex are in the pipeline.
About the condition of the Batakundi Youth hostel, he said, next time it would be fully up gradated after the rehabilitation work on washrooms, electricity facilities to be changed into heavy solar systems to ensure water heating facilities.
Sports Scholar Abdur Rashid Anwar thanked Secretary Sports, Director Youth Irfan Ali, and Regional Sports Officer Ahmad Zaman for extending their support in holding the event.
Earlier, in the opening match Hazara defeated Bannu by 17-10 in thrilling match while Dera Ismail Khan beat Kohat by 16-9. The pick of the pack was international Tchoukball player Sadia, national player Remsha who steered their teams to victory.
