Daily Times

Inaugurating the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Under-21 Games at the Peshawar Sports Complex on Monday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that although the country has been facing a difficult situation, the greener pastures are ahead.

The event passed peacefully at the Peshawar Sports Complex. Imran said that hopefully the games would produce new talent.

Those present on the occasion included Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Governor Shah Farman, Speaker Provincial Assembly Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Minorities Noor Ul Haq Qadri, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Minister for Postal Services and Communications Murad Saeed, KP Finance Minister Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra, CM’s Adviser on Information Ajmal Khan Wazir, Chief Secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, Secretary Sports Khushal Khan, Managing Director Tourism Corporation Junaid Khan, Director General Sports KP Asfandyar Khan Khattak, Director Sports KP (Female) Rashida Ghaznavi, Director Operations Syed Saqlain Shah, officials, players and a large number of spectators. “Life is like a competition and sports teach us to engage in healthy competitions,” he said.

He added that he it was sports that taught him how to compete in life. He said that after facing critical times, the country would soon face good times. The prime minister told the athletes that being sportspersons, they had been trained to face difficult situations with bravery. “I hope you would serve the country in a better way and with great enthusiasm because youngsters are the future builder of the nation and very soon Pakistan would become a prosperous country,” he said.

A musical band, folk dances and singers Karan Khan and Irfan Khan enthralled the athletes and spectators at the event.

The event is the first of its kind being held on provincial level in Peshawar and the winners and runners-up will receive cash prizes while the medalists and top three position holders would also be released monthly stipends.

The KP U-21 Games are being held at tehsil, district and regional levels. In total, 32 games for men and 27 for women at all levels would be participated by 26,000 athletes. Currently, the second phase is being held, with the participation of 7,000 athletes in 13 games for men and 10 events for women.