Tourism in Swat: Winter sports gala to be held in Malam Jabba

PDMA to sign MoU with Malik Saad Trust.

PESHAWAR:

Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), in collaboration with Malik Saad Shaheed Memorial Sports Trust (MST), will organise a Winter Sports Gala at Malam Jabba in Swat to promote sports and tourism in the conflict hit region, officials said on Saturday.

PDMA spokesperson quoted PDMA Director General Shakil Qadir Khan as saying that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will soon be signed between PDMA and MST for this purpose. Khan also paid a visit to the trust on Saturday in this connection, he added.

He said that the purpose of the MoU was to revive economy, tourism and sports activities in the conflict-hit area of Malakand Division.

The official said that the PDMA had successfully arranged the 40-day long “Spirit of Swat” function this year, which was attended by thousands of local and foreign tourists who participated in various sports activities.

Earlier, MST Secretary Amjad Aziz Malik briefed Khan on the endeavours of the trust and informed him that the trust had established sports academies in 20 districts of K-P. He said that these academies held sports tournaments for the youth on a regular basis.

He also said that the trust will not restrict itself to sports activities, but will extend its services to education and health sectors as well. He said that the trust had was also distributing sports kits and uniforms among sportsmen, adding that the trust would be extending its services to Fata as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 2^nd, 2011.