Sporting event for orphaned children begins today

More than 1,500 orphans from across the country to participate in a week-long sporting event.

ISLAMABAD:

More than 1,500 orphans from across the country will participate in a week-long sporting event. The event “Pakistan Sweet Homes Annual Sports Festival 2011” will begin on Monday (today) at the Islamabad Sports Complex.

The children, aged 10 or below, will participate in various sporting events and games throughout the week.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Pakistan Baitul Maal (PBM) Managing Director Zamrud Khan said that politicians, ministers, diplomats and people from all walks of life would take part in the festival, to encourage the children and improve their morale. PBM is organising the event.  “It is a pleasure for me to bring these helpless children to Islamabad and allow them some happiness by engaging them in such healthy activities,” said Khan.

He added that many of the twin cities’ philanthropists had reached out to encourage them. He revealed that the children would be given the opportunity to spend one day (March 25) at the President House, where the president will meet them and join them for lunch.

On March 23, the children will hold a peaceful march within the premises of the sports complex to commemorate their parents, many of whom lost their lives in militant attacks.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2011.