LAHORE: Departmental players gathered outside Punjab Stadium on Monday to protest against the government’s decision to stop funding for sports departments.
ARY News reported that players and other people belong to departments held a strong protest against the government. They think the government’s decision will hurt sports in the country in the longer run.
“Departments help the country find talent. If departments will not get funding, talent will stop coming out,” a player said.
“I appeal to the government to review their decision and take it back for the sake of sports in the country,” another player stated.
It must be noted here that Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC)’s ministry released a letter to all provinces that directed them to stop funding of sports departments. Instead, this funding should be given to regions.
Lahore: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja has ordered board’s employees to reduce expenses, ARY Sports reported.
Ramiz spoke to the board’s employees which included its directors, lower management and ground staff members at the Imran Khan Enclosure in Gaddafi Stadium two days ago.
Ramiz emphasized reducing expenses and save costs, adding that he had been told by the prime minister himself how he saves expenses at the Prime Minister House and the Prime Minister Office. He also gave an indirect message to the high paid people in hushed words.
“We have to cut the expenses of the board. Have one cup of tea instead of two, use the air conditioner less and turn off the lights when you leave your offices,” Ramiz told employees.
Former captain’s only aim is to make the Pakistan team as the best one in the world. “If our team does not become the number one team in the world, there is no reason for all of us to stay here. We have to work to justify our presence here.”
Ramiz concluded by saying that cricket has to reform at the grassroots level, including the improvement of pitches across Pakistan.
Lahore: Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) Secretary Asif Bajwa believes that there is a conspiracy involved from Hockey India in getting visas for Junior Hockey World Cup.
According to Bajwa, the International Hockey Federation (FIH) invited PHF to participate in the World Cup on September 23 but the next day, they were told that the last date to submit visa application was September 24.
“On September 23, we were told that Hockey India had sent an email on September 18. But we did not receive any mail from Hockey India on September 18,” he said.
Bajwa questioned that the Junior World Cup schedule was released on September 23, so how did Hockey India mail on September 18?
“We had asked Hockey India for ten days to apply for visas. I have spoken to FIH President Narendra Batra and Chief Executive Asian Hockey Tayyab Ikram on the issue. Both have assured support,” he added.
“We have sent the preliminary list of players and officials to Hockey India. We have also completed 90% of the visa application process,” Asif Bajwa added.
Asif revealed that they have asked the government of Pakistani for the NOC. “PHF wants to play in the World Cup but will abide by the decision of the government over participation.”
The 12th Junior Hockey World Cup is scheduled in India from November 24 to December 5. Pakistan got direct qualification to the mega event after Junior Asia Cup was postponed due to COVID-19.
The Sports Board of Punjab has decided to resume sports activities across the province as the COVID-19 situation improves, ARY Sports reported.
According to the notification, activities of 30 non-contact sports will be resumed from tomorrow. The ban on 12 contact sports will remain in place.
Rowing, karate, taekwondo, judo, kickboxing and tug-of-war will remain suspended. Training on Judo, Rugby, Wrestling, Kabaddi, Muay Thai and Wushu to continue.
Gymnastics, cricket, basketball, volleyball, weightlifting, handball activities, athletics, mountain biking, baseball, roller skating, futsal, table tennis, road cycling activities will be restored.
Cycling, fencing, triathlon, golf, water polo, hockey, archery, rowing, badminton, shooting, modern pentathlon, ski jumping, cross country, snooker and billiards, football, swimming will also be allowed.
It must be noted that sports activities were banned in Punjab due to rising cases of novel coronavirus.