Lahore, January 27, 2018 (PPI-OT):Director Sports Muhammad Anees Sheikh inaugurated Special Olympics National Games 2018 at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall on Saturday. The contingents of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Islamabad presented impressive march past in the grand opening ceremony. The participating special athletes also sang their respective regional songs which were hugely appreciated by the audience.
It’s worth-mentioning that the 3-day games are being held under the auspices of Sports Board Punjab, Special Olympics Pakistan and Chief Minister’s Special Monitoring Unit. The inauguration ceremony was attended by a large number of sports enthusiasts.
The winning participants from the Special Olympics National Games will be selected to compete in the World Games in March 2019. The Special Olympics National Games are being held to celebrate the 50 years of Special Olympics Movement. Around 250 differently-abled athletes from across the country are taking part in competitive sports events including power-lifting, bocce and soccer.
Addressing the opening ceremony, Director Sports Muhammad Anees Sheikh said Punjab govt as per the vision of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken every possible measure for the betterment of sportsmen including special athletes. “Sports Board Punjab will continue its endeavours for establishing sports culture in the province. Our special athletes are enriched with great sports talent and we will take all necessary steps to polish their skills,” he added.
Director Sports Muhammad Anees Sheikh said: “Sports Board Punjab has always given great significance to special athletes. Special athletes are important part of our society. They already have won several medals in international sports competitions. We are really proud of their feats”.
Vice-chairman Pakistan Special Olympic Federation Anees-ur-Rehman expressed his gratitude to Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada and Secretary Sports Punjab Muhammad Aamir Jan for extending best sports facilities to special athletes. “The sports facilities provided by Sports Board Punjab for the holding of National Games for Special Children are of great significance,” he maintained.
For more information, contact:
Sports Board Punjab
Government of the Punjab
National Hockey Stadium, Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99232501, +92-42-99232502
E-mail: info@punjabsportsboard.com
Website: http://sportsboard.punjab.gov.pk