Sports events resume in K-P after 5-month hiatus

Peshawar Sports Complex reopened

PESHAWAR:

After opening up tourism in the province, the government on Monday reopened sporting activities after a five-month hiatus.

Scores of athletes lined up under the sweltering heat as Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz formally reopened sporting activities at the Peshawar Sports Complex. The complex has facilities for 28 games affiliated with the Pakistan Olympic Association.

Soon after opening the gates to the sports complex by Dr Niaz, great enthusiasm was witnessed amongst players.

Indoor and outdoor sporting activities had been banned on March 18 along with tourism and other recreational activity in the wake of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

While reopening the gates to the Qayyum Sports Complex, the chief secretary said it was a historical moment as sports activities have resumed in the province after a break of five months.

“Unfortunately, economic and sports activities were suspended due to the coronavirus epidemic in which the athletes acted responsibly and complied with the government's decision and followed the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the provincial and federal government,” he remarked.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2020.