Provincial Minister for sports and youth affairs Punjab Jahangir Khanzada has said that Punjab Government is strongly encouraging and undertaking reforms to accelerat pace towards inclusivity and strengthening our resolve of 'No Athlete Left Behind'. Sports will not just promote coexistence but also involve our youth in productive activities and help to disengage them from the evils and menaces that exist. Committed to the international development agenda, I assure these promising, youthful and brave athletes that their future will be prosperous and finally they will reach the skies.
He expressed these views during the inauguration ceremony of 17th edition of Punjab Games Special Olympics Pakistan. These three days Sports Festival is being arranged with the collaboration of Sports Board Punjab, Special Monitoring Unit of Government of Punjab and Pakistan Olympics Association. He further said that he was delighted to deliver and conduct these games in collaboration with Special Olympics Pakistan. Today, differently-abled youth from Punjab is showcasing its athleticism as it binds us together in hope and struggle for inclusivity and harmony. In addition to developing domestic coaching and mentoring infrastructure, we will continue to support these athletes in competing at the global arena. Every clap will strengthen our pace in winning this race of togetherness; each cheer steer us closer to the finish line.
Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Amir told the media that as part of this event; more than 1,100 special athletes had been taking part in the three daycompetitions along with 200 coaches and volunteers. The event has been organized by Special Olympics Pakistan in collaboration with Chief Minister’s Special Monitoring Unit and the Punjab Sports Board. In the games, differently-abled athletes are taking part in competitions ofAthletics, Basketball, Badminton, Bocce, Cycling, Football, Table Tennis, Powerlifting and Swimming. This landmark initiative is a continuation of Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s resolve of‘No Athlete Left Behind’ where three special athletes from Punjab were sponsored by the Government of Punjab for the 2017 World Winter Games in Austria and the winners were honored in a separate reception as well. The17th Punjab Gamesare a giant step in encouraging Punjab’s differently-abled youth and raising awareness for their inclusion in society.
Many of the athletes from these games will be representing Punjab at the forth coming Special Olympics Pakistan National Games and may also represent our country in the World Games which will be held in Abu Dhabi in 2019.”
Special Olympics Pakistan’s Chairperson Ronak Lakhani shed light on the importance of having initiatives for differently abled children. She said, “My team and I are very grateful to the Punjab government and the Chief Minister’s Special Monitoring Unit for their support in the Punjab Games. I would like to personally thank you for providing an opportunity to over 1100 Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities to compete in such prestigious games.
Head, Chief Minister’s Special Monitoring Unit Syeda Fatima Zaidi said, while addressing the ceremony that SMU stands ever determined in advancing the Chief Minister’s resolve and nurturing an inclusive Punjab. ‘No Athlete Left Behind’ recognizes inclusion of differently-abled youth through sports and physical exercise. These games, unparalleled at this scale in Pakistan, mark the continuation of our struggle in mainstreaming their participation. A few months back, we proudly witnessed athletes from this platform gloriously returning with Olympics medals. Today, each visitor is a motivator, every athlete is a winner.
Celebrities like Adnan Siddiqui and Mehreen Syed were also present at the inaugural ceremony and boosted the morale of the special athletes.