‘Sports activities as vital as education’
Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood has said that education was very important for society but sports and healthy physical activities were also essential for the students.
The minister, who was the chief guest at the All-Pakistan Interboards’ Sports Gala's opening ceremony at Pakistan Sports Complex's Liaquat Gymnasium on Tuesday, expressed his pleasure at the participation by the students and teachers.
“I commend everyone who contributed to the planning of this event, and I applaud the parents who sent their children to participate in the sporting event. We have seen a very difficult time during the Covid-19 pandemic as all educational and sports activities were stopped due to the virus outbreak,” he said.
Mahmood said schools were occasionally opened and closed during the Covid-19 pandemic. “Some students were ecstatic about the school closures, while others were disappointed,” he said adding that an educated community can remarkably lead the nation.
Mahmood said that schooling and examinations would continue without interruption.” For students, sports (extracurricular activities) are just as vital as education. I am delighted to see schoolgirls competing in the sports gala, in addition to male pupils. We need to provide them with a solid education so that they can help make Pakistan a better country and show to the rest of the world that we are not behind,” he said.
Earlier, Interboard Committee of Chairmen Secretary Dr Ghulam Ali Mallah said that “we are gathered here for the sports gala on the directions of the minister. Sports activities are very important for physical and mental health. We should make sports activities a part of the curriculum.”
Chairman Mardan Board Imtiaz Ali said these competitions give exposure to the students and help find talent at the grassroots level. "A large number of male and female students from all over the country competed in several contests at the sports gala, providing them with valuable sports exposure," he stated.
Pakistan Sports Board Director-General Muhammad Asif Zaman and other officials were also present.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 1st, 2021.