ISLAMABAD: Capital’s Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz on Thursday pledged to improve conditions of parks and playgrounds in the federal capital especially those remained unattended by the capital’s civic body. The mayor was talking to media after participating in a walk organised by Shifa International Hospitals to mark ‘World Health Day’. The day is celebrated every year by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on April 7. This year’s theme of the day was “Beat Diabetes: Scale up prevention, strengthen care and enhance surveillance”. He appreciated the step of holding of walk and said that such physical activities should be a regular feature of citizens to promote a healthy lifestyle. He said that the physical activities are a great way to develop foundation of an active society, urging people to play their role in creating a healthy and prosperous country. The mayor said that media has an important role in creating awareness about active lifestyles for prevention of diseases. He assured of his cooperation to Shifa Hospital in its public welfare initiatives. Sheikh Ansar while attending one of his first public events after becoming elected mayor of Islamabad also inaugurated the week long Shifa SportsTournament. He played table tennis, badminton and some cricket shots to start the tournament. The event will feature tournaments of football, cricket, volleyball, table tennis, badminton and other games. Shifa International Hospital Chief Operating Officer Aziz Jan said that dignified lifestyle and spending long hours before computers, laptops and video games is depriving people especially children of the chance to be part of sports and outdoor activities.