FATA Olympic Association (FOA) President and Federal SAFRON Minister Shaukat Ullah, hosted a reception at a local hotel, to honour Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President Lt Gen (Retd) Arif Hasan. The POA president has been elected for a third consecutive term. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar was the chief guest at the occasion.
Shaukat Ullah highlighted the aim and objectives of the FATA Olympic Association. He said the FOA organised national table tennis and rugby championships, FATA Inter-School Sports Gala besides participating in events like the PFF Football League, National U-16 Hockey Championship, National U-14 Football, as well as the women team’s participation in National Master Cup Table Tennis.
He said with the establishment of FOA more sporting activities could be organised. He appreciated the efforts of Arif Hasan and KP Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah for the promotion of sporting activities in the province. The minister said education institutions in FATA have been directed to provide better sports facilities to their students. He also lauded Shaukat Ullah and Secretary Shahid Khan Shinwari for taking keen interest in organising dozens of events and involving FATA’s youth in healthy activities. Kausar said educating the youth without providing it sports activities was futile.
He stated that promoting sporting activities in FATA was the top priority for the government and that it wanted to facilitate FATA’s talented youth and develop the infrastructure in the province.
The governor announced that sports complexes would be established at tribal agency headquarters and that every new educational institute established in FATA, would have the necessary sports infrastructure facilities.
Shaukat Ullah presented shields to Masood Kausar and Arif Hasan.
He thanked Hasan and the FATA parliamentarians for supporting the FOA and assured that the association would leave no stone unturned in the promotion of sporting activities are concerned in the province.
FATA Senator Hafiz Rashid, Bangladeshi delegate and Bangladesh Olympic Association Executive Member Rib-ud-din Ahmad Chapol, POA Treasure Shafiq, FATA Sports Director Faisal Jamil Shah, FOA Secretary Shahid Khan Shinwari, Olympian Rahim Khan, international hockey player Imtiaz Afridi, Bilal Sherpao and various FAO association officials were also present at the occasion.
