LAHORE – The trouble-stricken 71st Punjab Games, which have been postponed four times in the past, will now be held from April 7 to 9 this year at different venues of the city. The general council of the Punjab Olympics Association met here on Saturday and finalised the dates for the Punjab Games and also announced the holding of the 32nd National Games 2012 on October 21-27 next year.
The 71st Punjab Games were postponed on four occasions due to lack of funds and non-cooperation of the Sports Secretariat. No funds were released by the Punjab Sports Department, despite an announcement of a grant of Rs 5 million by the Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. The provincial sports officials deliberately delayed the release of the funds, resulting in the postponement of the games. But now the PbOA has decided to hold the Punjab Games on its own, and vowed that the Games will not be postponed this time.
Addressing a press conference here, PbOA Senior Vice President Iftikhar Malik, in the absence of President Syed Shahid Ali, said that they will generate money through sponsors to hold the games in both male and female categories, which would ultimately help to increase the soft image of the country. PbOA secretary Khwaja Idris and Tania Malik were also present during the briefing. Idris said that 19 competitions in the male category will be held, while female players will compete in eight disciplines.
He informed that Governor Punjab Latif Khosa will be the chairman of the organising committee, while Tania Malik will look after the female athletes. He said that on the directions of the governor, the Punjab government will provide all the facilities for holding the games, as the funds have not been released as yet. The Games will be held on a self-help basis.
He further informed that all the nine zones of Punjab will take part in this three-day activity and Governor Punjab has directed all the District Sports Officers to come up with their best teams. The Chief Minister Punjab will declare the games open on April 7, while Governor Punjab Latif Khosa will be the chief guest of the closing ceremony on April 9.
