The 5th Inter Schools, Colleges Games will roll into action here at the various venues of the city after the colourful opening ceremony at the Railway Stadium Ghari Shahu on November 10.
Talking to the reporters here at a press conference, Punjab Olympic Association (PbOA) secretary and organising committee chairman Idris Haider Khawaja said the event would begin on November 10 after a grand opening ceremony in which students of various schools would present a beautiful aerobic show. Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif will be chief guest on the occasion while PbOA precedent Syed Shahid Ali will accompany him as a guest of honour.
“Around 250 schools and colleges are taking part in the Games in which the 25 events will be held among the thousands of students. The games will help the students to groom well and make them busy in healthy activities rather wasting their times in using internet or watching TV,” PbOA secretary said.
Khawaja Idris also announced a cash prize of Rs 5,000 each for the best player of every category and the best student can get his prize from PbOA office after having a letter attested by institutions’ principals. Speaking on the occasion, Tania Malik, who is organising secretary of the event, said: “We are thankful to Punjab Olympic Association president, secretary and sponsors who provided funds to hold the event for our youth who is curious to take part in various sports events and ready to exhibit their prowess at local, national and international levels.”
“This time we have planned to give trophies, medals and prizes to every individual who performs well in his/her category and even we will also give school trophies to those schools and colleges whoso students will win maximum awards,” she added.
Toa query, she replied: “There is a dire need of hiring coaches at school and colleges level and they should hire the services of former national players and retired army sports officer in order to promote sports at college and school level instead of fully focusing on aerobics and similar kind of activates which have less scope at national and international level.”
The Games will conclude on November 14 and PML-N Leader Mian Nawaz Sharif will be chief guest at the concluding ceremony.