Central Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Hamza Shehbaz said on Saturday that opportunities and sports grounds would be provided to the youth so that they could win laurels for Pakistan in future, observing that Pakistani youth was very talented.
Addressing the concluding ceremony of Commissioner School Cricket Championship at Qaddafi Stadium, Hamza said that there was a winner and a runner up in any game, but sportsman spirit and physical health were of paramount importance for the promotion of sports activities.
He also welcomed Pakistan-India cricket match in the Asia Cup as a good omen, and said that game should be played in sports grounds and the youth should move forward jointly in the environment of respect.
Hamza said that extortion of money, kidnapping for ransom and other crimes continuing for the last 20 years in Karachi had been eliminated. “Pakistan is being made a prosperous country by eliminating terrorism forever through the operation Zarb-e-Azb,” he added.
The PML-N leader appreciated the conduct of tournament between 16 teams of schools of Lahore division including Sheikhupura, Nankana, Kasur and Lahore districts and announced to also hold such championships in other districts of the province. The Punjab government would provide funds in this regard, he added.
Hamza on the occasion congratulated a youth Zaid on winning three cash prizes of Rs 40,000 each, and said he should be proud of being the son of a vender and pray for his father over his success.
Later, Hamza gave away cash prize of Rs 0.3 million and a trophy to the winning team and a cash prize of Rs 0.2 million to the runner up.
He also presented a special shield to cricket legend Majid Khan. Test umpire Aleem Dar, former cricketers Salim Malik, Shafiq Papa the championship’s organizer Javed Zaman, and Commissioner Lahore Abdullah Sumbal were also present on the occasion.