Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz formally inaugurated the Khelta Punjab Games 2024-25 and the Inter-Division Sports Competitions.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Maryam Nawaz expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “It is wonderful to see such energy and passion. I have always envisioned a Punjab that plays, learns, grows, and progresses. Our province is filled with champions, yet sports arenas had remained deserted for years.”
She lauded young athletes for making their families, Punjab, and Pakistan proud, calling the event the largest sporting competition in the country’s history. She assured full financial support for sports development, pledging, “If needed, I will increase the sports budget from PKR 2 billion to PKR 5 billion—there will be no shortage of funds for our athletes.”
Maryam Nawaz highlighted that 120,000 young athletes from across Punjab had registered for the games. She emphasized the province’s sports potential, citing figures like tennis star Aisam-ul-Haq and Olympian Arshad Nadeem as prime examples.
She also acknowledged the government’s focus on talent development, noting that Punjab now has 15,000 sports clubs and 30,000 students receiving merit-based scholarships. She reassured the participants that all selections were based on merit, with no room for favoritism.
Encouraging young athletes, she stated, “Work hard and move forward—I am here for you. We will bring in international coaches to train you because I want to see medals around your necks.” She also mentioned the launch of paid internships across departments, offering PKR 60,000 monthly stipends to support youth development.
The Khelta Punjab Games 2024-25 mark a significant step towards reviving sports culture in the province, fostering young talent, and providing them with a platform to shine on national and international stages.
The COW News
