3,000 players participate in three-day inter-regional games

Imran Khan condemns closure of Hazara University campus for two days

PESHAWAR: Over 3,000 players from across the province will participate in the three-day Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Inter-Regional Under-23 Games.

The event was inaugurated by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairperson Imran Khan at a ceremony held in Lala Ayub Hockey Stadium of Qayyum Sports Complex on Tuesday.



A large number of players gathered at the sports complex for the event that was organised by the K-P Directorate General of Sports. The initiative provided a platform for players to hone their skills and flesh out emerging talent.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Imran said, “While education is our government’s priority, sports is the right of every individual.”

On the occasion, he reiterated the promise he had made earlier about establishing a sports stadium in every district of the province.

“We will make this province an example for other parts of the country,” Imran said. He also shared his own experience as a cricketer with young players present on the occasion.

The PTI chief highlighted the importance of sports and the significance of healthy competition in every field of life including games.



Imran said the government was making an effort to revive such activities at schools and colleges to foster upcoming talent.  “There is no dearth of capability in the province and sports activities will be extremely helpful in bringing the youth’s actual talent to the forefront,”  he said.

Temporary closure

Imran also vehemently condemned the temporary closure of Hazara University, saying education was his government’s foremost priority and closing educational institutions was unacceptable.

The varsity’s registrar in Mansehra district had issued notification to close the varsity for two days ahead of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the area on April 28. The notification also directed authorities to vacate the boys hostels and restrict the movement of girls to their hostels.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Provincial Sports Director General Rashida Ghaznavi said, “This is an innovative idea which has been appreciated by not only the players but also other stakeholders.”

Modus operandi

Sharing details of the event, Ghaznavi said committees to carry out the selection process of players were constituted in Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, Swat, Kohat, DI Khan, Lakki Marwat and other districts earlier.

She added a large number of participants from across the province took part in competitions. Men and women were given equal opportunities in all competitions.



The games for men that will be played during the three-day event include cricket, football, volleyball, hockey, squash, badminton, table tennis, boxing, athletics, gymnastic, judo, karate and taekwondo.

Women will also participate in cricket, hockey, squash, badminton, table tennis, athletic, judo and taekwondo in addition to basketball
and netball.

Minister for Sports, Culture, Archaeology, Museums and Youth Affairs Mehmood Khan and other government officials were also present on the occasion. The male and female U-23 games were held at divisional level earlier.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 4^th, 2016.