Sports Reporter
PESHAWAR: The Merged Districts Under-16 Games, organized by the Directorate of Sports Merged Districts were formally inaugurated in a colorful ceremony at Jamrud Sports Complex. Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi officially declared the games open and also inaugurated the newly constructed indoor gymnasium on the occasion.
The ceremony was attended by Provincial Minister for Local Government Mena Khan Afridi, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Sports Taj Muhammad Tarand, MPAs Adnan Qadri and Abdul Ghani Afridi, Secretary Sports Muhammad Asif Khan, Director General Sports Tashfeen Haider, Director Sports Merged Districts Umar Arshad and other dignitaries.
Players presented a march-past during the opening ceremony while students from a local school performed an impressive parade that received warm appreciation from the audience.
Addressing the ceremony Chief Minister Sohail Afridi termed of the Under-16 Games in the merged districts after a long time as a welcome step, stating that the objective is to provide ample opportunities for the youth of tribal districts to showcase their talent. He noted that the tribal areas had faced challenges over the past two decades; however, through positive activities like sports, a message is being conveyed that the people of these areas are peace-loving and passionate about sports.
He further said that immense talent exists in the tribal districts but could not come to the forefront due to prevailing circumstances. The government is committed to providing maximum opportunities to the youth so they can bring laurels to the country. Addressing the players, he urged them to participate with hard work, dedication and passion, emphasizing that national teams are always in search of talented players.
The Chief Minister added that practical steps are being taken to promote sports across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that such initiatives will continue in the future.
Earlier, Advisor on Sports Taj Muhammad Tarand thanked the guests and said that the merged districts which had long suffered from underdevelopment are now being provided with positive and healthy activities for youth engagement. He said that in line with the vision of PTI’s founding leader, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi is taking practical measures to ensure sports facilities are provided in all districts of the province.
He informed that more than 1,000 players from eight tribal districts and seven sub-divisions are participating in the games. Furthermore plans are underway to organize women’s games, madaress games and minority games in the merged districts.
It is worth mentioning that under the Under-16 Games, cricket matches will be held at Hayatabad Sports Complex, football matches at Tahmas Khan Football Ground, hockey and basketball competitions at Peshawar Sports Complex and volleyball matches at PSB Hall Peshawar.
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