Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Jehangir Khanzada has said that we will have to support our youth by all means if we want to make this world a peaceful place. Youth is the most precious assess of our country. Sports are the best field to train the youth towards this mission. Government of the Punjab is providing best infrastructure and other related facilities to the players in the form of equipped play fields, cricket grounds, gymnasiums, tennis courts and swimming pools. We have abundant enthusiastic and energetic youth to be exposed to sporting activities. Our youth have guts to win and positivity to face defeat honorably and constructively. He expresses these views while addressing the ceremony of Queen’s Baton Relay-21st Commonwealth Games Gold Coast Australia in collaboration with Pakistan Olympics Association, today at Hazoori Bagh Lahore. Miss Margaret Thomas Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan, Lord Mayor Lahore Col. Rtd. Mubashir Javed and renowned players were also present on this occasion. Minister Sports said that Pakistan being a member of Commonwealth Nations upholds all programs of the commonwealth including sports. Pakistani Athletes have made a history in the Commonwealth Games by creating many new records and winning Gold Medals in 1950s & 1960s. He said that with the requisite dedication of the sports organizations and the athletes, we will once again be able to achieve good results in the Gold Coast and Games to follow. Jahangir Khanzada said that the Pakistan Olympics Association deserves special appreciation for making excellent arrangements for QBR program in a befitting manner. I am quite sure this program will sufficiently showcase the soft image of Pakistan and Pakistanis as a peaceful nation, he added. Ms. Margaret Thomas while addressing the occasion said that steps and activities of Government of Punjab for promotion of sports activities in the province are worth appreciation. She assured some future cooperation in this field. Provincial minister thanked all the honorable guests and appreciated students of The City School on presentation of colorful program. He also congratulated the students for being a part of 21st Common Wealth Games. He hoped that with the cooperation, associations like Pakistan Olympics and Common Wealth Games, we will soon overcome the fear of terrorism and once again populate our grounds successfully. Provincial minister appreciated the local players of Queen’s Baton Relay race and delivered them with prayers from the whole nation. The city of Lahore is known not only as the city of gardens and historical heritage but also a hub of sports in the country. I am sure our guests from Australia have had a comfortable stay here in Lahore and will enjoy the trip, he concluded.
