Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) on Monday said that our rich human resource and educated youth are the true assets of the nation.

He made these remarks while addressing the Annual Sports Distribution Ceremony held at the Chella Bandi Campus of University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The event was attended by Vice Chancellor University of AJK Prof. Dr. Kaleem Abbasi, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Dr. Ayesha Sohail, Zain-ul-Abideen Director Sports, faculty members and a large number of students.

Highlighting the importance of sporting activities in educational institutions, the President said that sports played an important role in the physical wellbeing and mental growth of the students. He said that by promoting sports and extracurricular activities we can curb the inclination of our students towards negative and unhealthy activities.

The President said playing sports inculcates positive character traits like teamwork, confidence, organization, and punctuality. He said that successful nations invest heavily in sporting infrastructures and facilities for their youth. Similar steps will also be taken in AJK, he said.

President Masood Khan said that modern sports facilities will be built in educational institutions throughout Azad Kashmir and in the future, our universities will be able to host national and international sporting events, he said. He added that an athlete is the best ambassador for any country.

The President also said that a 10 room hostel dedicated for lodging of athletes participating in sporting events at the University will also be built at the King Abdullah Campus.

On the occasion, the President acknowledging the young cricketer from Rawalakot who had been selected to play for the Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), said that we hope in the coming years more players from AJK are also selected to play in such prestigious leagues and represent Pakistan at the international level. The President also hoped that soon AJK will have its own team in PSL.

Expressing his resolve for providing quality academic and co-curricular facilities at the universities of AJK, the President said, “We are striving for the holistic development of our Universities and will bring them at par with national and regional universities.”

Congratulating the students on their achievements, the President also urged them to focus on their field of studies by pursuing academic excellence. He said that in the changing economic and technological landscape the students must hone their skills and prepare themselves for the dynamic job market.

Published in Daily Times, February 20^th 2018.