QUETTA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged to create ample opportunities for national athletes. Shehbaz, who officially opened the 34th National Games here today, addressed the concerns of athletes.
“I would like to appreciate all the athletes, their coaches and officials for coming to Quetta for National Games despite all the challenges,” the PM said at the opening ceremony.
Team events in the ongoing National Games have already been completed. Now, athletes in individual capacity will compete in different sports.
The list of sports include archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, bodybuilding, boxing, cycling, football, golf, gymnastics, handball, hockey, judo, kabaddi, karate, rugby, rowing, sailing, shooting, squash, softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, tug of war, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling, wushu and fencing.
PM Shehbaz said his government aims to lift youngsters and provide them equal opportunities.
“In our previous government, we provided opportunities to youngsters. We were the first one to introduce laptop scheme for students. The scheme benefitted students all over the country,” he reiterated. “We know that our athletes are capable enough to hoist Pakistan’s flag at the international level. They just need proper facilities,” added Shehbaz while ensuring that his government would work on improving the facilities for youngsters.
All the teams did flag march today after PM Shehbaz officially announced the opening of 34th National Games. He was accompanied by Chief Minister Baluchistan Mir Abdul Qudoos Bazinjo and Governor Baluchistan Abdul Wali Kakar.
Currently, Pakistan Army are leading the table with 99 medals (45 Gold, 32 Silver, 22 Bronze). WAPDA are second with 59 medals whereas Navy are third with 69 medals.Competitions in individual categories will start tomorrow.