The Sindh government today decided to introduce the Sindh Sports Policy, expedite the issuance of the Sindh Youth Card, and enhance the effectiveness of the Sindh Sports Board.
The decision was taken during an important meeting chaired by Sindh Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Bux Mahar. The meeting was attended by Sports Secretary Munawar Ali Mahesar, Additional Secretary Asad Ishaq, Chief Engineer Muhammad Aslam Mahar, Deputy Director Habibullah, and other relevant officials. Detailed briefings were presented on the Sindh Sports Policy, the Sindh Sports Board, and the Sindh Youth Card. Addressing the meeting, Mahar said that, through the Sindh Youth Card, 100,000 young people between the ages of 15 and 29 from the province’s 30 districts would be provided with various facilities.
He said that, under the Youth Card, young people would receive educational scholarships, interest-free business loans, financial assistance, world-class skills training, travel facilities, and possible special concessions in various sectors. He added that, under the guidance of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, all preparations for the Sindh Youth Card had been completed and that the project would soon be launched for the youth. The minister also directed the Department of Youth Affairs to introduce additional welfare and development programmes for young people.
Mahar said that the proposed Sindh Sports Policy would usher in a new era for sports and athletes in the province. He stated that the policy would promote both traditional and modern sports, ensure the welfare of athletes, expand sports infrastructure, establish a registration process for sports associations, and revive sporting activities in schools and colleges. Sports Secretary Munawar Ali Mahesar, while briefing the meeting, said that suggestions for the proposed Sindh Sports Policy had been sought from relevant institutions, including the Departments of Education, Colleges, Universities and Boards, Health, Law, DPD, and the Sindh Olympic Association.
The minister emphasized that, following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, sports had become a provincial subject and that, in this context, the Sindh government was formulating a comprehensive and modern sports policy. He added that the Sindh Sports Policy would be presented to the Sindh Cabinet for approval, after which it would be implemented.