Punjab government took major decisions for the promotion of sports and building effective sports infrastructure in Punjab province; he said this while presiding over the General Council meeting of Sports Board Punjab (SBP) at Punjab International Swimming Complex, Nishtar Park Sports Complex on Wednesday evening. Secretary Sports Punjab Muhammad Aamir Jan, MPA Mian Munir, MPA Farzana Butt, former PHF President Olympian Akhtar Rasool, former cricket captain Intikhab Alam, Olympian Kh. Junaid, Director Admin Javed Rasheed Chohan, Deputy Director Hafeez Bhatti, Assistant Director Zahoor Ahmed, Awais Akbar, MB Javaid and other top officers also attended the meeting. During the meeting, the expenditures of 2017-18 season for sports activities and events across the province were also approved. Addressing the meeting, Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada said quality boxing rings will be built in nine divisional headquarters of Punjab province. “Besides boxing rings, 111 Project Management Unit (PMU) Schemes will also be completed soon. Punjab government is also establishing several sports playfields, gymnasiums, squash complexes and grounds in various cities of the province,” he narrated. Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada informed the meeting that Punjab government has completed record number of sports development projects in a short span of time which is unprecedented in the history of province. “Honourable Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif will inaugurate the completed sports projects in near future,” he elaborated. Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada also approved the appointment of Olympian coaches and assistant coaches in five cities Rawalpindi, Gojra, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib and Kasur. Secretary Sports Punjab Muhammad Aamir Jan informed the meeting that a fund of Rs 59 lakh has been approved for the upcoming Inter-Provincial Games scheduled to be held at Peshawar. “Sports Board Punjab is imparting quality training to its athletes through qualified coaches and we are quite confident that Punjab contingent will defend its title comfortably in the mega event,” he added. Secretary Sports Punjab Muhammad Aamir Jan said that all the members of Punjab contingent will be given top standard facilities during the training camps across the province.
