LAHORE –Chairman Punjab Sports Board MNA Hamza Shahbaz Sharif Monday said that provincial level of Punjab Sport Festival 2012 will be commenced from February 28 with a grand function to be held here at National Hockey Stadium.
Hamza while addressing a press conference said that the winning teams at UC, tehsil, district and division level in the categories of schools, colleges, universities, press clubs, bar associations, special children and general public will march past in this mega event and it will be participated by 60 thousand people including sports veterans, prominent players and renowned figures of art and culture and moreover, a 17-kilometre long marathon and 40 and 80 kilometer cycle race will also amuse the citizens.
Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Mashhood Ahmad, Secretary Sports Allah Bakhsh, DG Punjab Sports Board Usman Anwar and PML-N leader Imran Ali Goraya were also present in the press conference. Hamza said the biggest ever sports gala in the history of Punjab had reached at district level through UC and tehsil level. Punjab government has provided 18219 sports facilities by restoring 4312 sports grounds in all over the province. “The restored sports grounds will not be left unattended and Punjab government will make law to secure these spots for public so that powerful segments of society could not grab them again as these grounds are great asset of the nation especially for the youth and it is our collective responsibility to safeguard them,” he added.
Responding to a question, Hamza said: “The non-provision of funds will not be allowed to hinder in the way of sports. Our 60 per cent national population consists of youth but the social bonds and financial problems have stressed everybody. In this atmosphere, Punjab government’s sports festival will bring message of hope, happiness, enthusiasm and entertainment for the general public.”