LAHORE: The fifth Blind Cricket World Cup got underway with a grand opening ceremony at the AlHamra Cultural Complex on Sunday.
Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada inaugurated the mega event by playing a shot. The traditional performances of all the four provinces were presented in the opening ceremony. Special students also presented beautiful tableau on this occasion.
Addressing the opening ceremony, the provincial minister for sports said that, “We are proud to host Blind Cricket World Cup match. The holding of Blind Cricket World Cup in Pakistan is enough to tell the rest of the world that Pakistan has defeated terrorism. We say welcome to visiting Nepal and Bangladesh blind cricket teams.”
“Punjab government gave a huge amount of funds for the holding of Blind World Cup besides extending administrative cooperation. We want to see disabled people leading a normal life and express their hidden potential in a suitable manner. We also want to evolve a solid collective strategy along with the participating countries for the welfare of blind and other disabled people,” he opined.
Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada informed that the Punjab government has taken various effective measures for the promotion of sports and welfare of sportsmen. “The rapid construction work is underway at over 200 development projects in Punjab under the Annual Development Programme, besides the establishment of an endowment fund. Special people will also get sufficient help from this fund. A blind cricket stadium laced with all modern facilities is also being built at Rakh Jhedo area with a cost of Rs127.765 million.”
In his address, Pakistan Blind Cricket Council Chairman Syed Sultan Shah said that hosting Blind World Cup is a good omen for the future of cricket in Pakistan. “I’m thankful to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada for extending every kind of cooperation. Punjab government provided us with a hefty amount for organizing the grand event,” he added.
Syed Sultan Shah presented a souvenir to Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada on this occasion. Secretary Special Education Khalid Mehmood was also present during the inaugural ceremony.