RAWALPINDI: Federal Minister for Planning and Inter-Provincial Coordination Ahsan Iqbal has known as for resumption of sporting ties between Pakistan and India.
“Sports activities must be saved separate from politics. The political tensions between India and Pakistan didn’t have an effect on sports activities prior to now,” he stated in an unique interview with Geo Information on Saturday.
The planning minister additionally urged India to ship its crew to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy in 2025.
“As an alternative of preventing, India and Pakistan ought to compete within the subject of training, sports activities and well being,” he added.
Iqbal additionally revealed the federal government’s plans to advertise sports activities within the nation.
“Sadly, over the previous couple of years, sports activities have been ignored in Pakistan. Furthermore, Pakistan Sports activities Board did not play its key position in selling sports activities within the nation. Nonetheless present authorities has included sports activities in its priorities,” stated Iqbal.
Speaking about his future plans, Iqbal stated: “Nationwide Video games will probably be held on the finish of this 12 months likewise a profitable occasion was held in 2017 the place groups from each province will probably be invited to take part.
“Efforts are being made to carry SAFF Video games in Pakistan in 2025 whereas 2025 has additionally been declared because the 12 months of revival of sports activities in Pakistan. Now we have deliberate to organise a sports activities convention the place officers from each province, athletes and different stakeholders will take part through which a highway map for 2025 will probably be made in relation to sports activities.”
Iqbal expressed his disappointment over present situation of Pakistan Sports activities Board.
“In 2017, authorities launched particular funds for Jinnah Stadium Islamabad however sadly they weren’t utilised correctly,” he stated.
“The air-conditioners will probably be put in within the Liaquat Gymnasium of Sports activities Complicated Islamabad in order that worldwide stage competitions will be held in close to future. 4 AstroTurfs for hockey will probably be put in within the nation subsequent month whereas a plan to put in ten extra AstroTurfs has been ready.
“Now we have additionally deliberate alongside provincial governments to construct one other 250 mini sports activities complexes.”
Iqbal additionally recalled that he met former cricketer Majid Khan throughout his engineering days.
“Majid Khan predicted in 1981 that Pakistan will disappear from the squash circuit in coming years. It was unusual to listen to at the moment as a result of Pakistan’s squash was at its peak in that period. The prediction of Majid Khan grew to become a actuality later as a result of Pakistan confronted a decline in squash,” he stated.
“The elimination of departments from sports activities was the most important mistake of current occasions. The federal government singlehandedly can’t present assets for sports activities. Therefore the departments will probably be taken in confidence now,” he added.
Talking about hockey, Iqbal stated: “A hockey league primarily based on the sample of Pakistan Tremendous League is deliberate to be launched. Now we have additionally directed the Greater Training Fee to start out College Olympics so as to revive sports activities scholarship.”
