A two-member Indian Punjab sports delegation comprising Paran Jeet Singh and Shiv Dular Dhillon arrived here on Wednesday via Wagha Border on a three-day visit to assess the arrangements of the Punjab International Sports Festival being held next month. In all four Indian Punjab teams will be taking part in the international edition of the Punjab Youth Festival and the prime objective of the Indian delegation is to review the arrangements and facilities.
Paran Jeet Singh is the secretary sports Indian Punjab and Shiv Dular Dhillon is the director sports. On the arrival of the Indian delegation, Usman Anwar, Director General Sports Board and Youth Affairs, welcomed them. Speaking on the occasion, Paran Jeet said that sports serve as an effective medium to better relations between the two countries.
"The purpose of visiting Lahore is that around 47-member Indian Punjab contingent will be taking part in the Festival and we want to evaluate the venues and allied facilities", he added.
The Indian Punjab contingent will arrive in Lahore in first week of November to take part in hockey, kabaddi, wrestling and tug of war events. "After evaluating the facilities and visiting the venues of the events we will be submitting our report to our government," he maintained. Talking about Festival, he said they have heard a lot about the ongoing Punjab Youth Festival. "We believe such an activity should be held between the two countries. It will improve relations and besides bringing closer of people of the two countries", he said. "In fact sports brings the message of peace", he added.
Speaking of the occasion, Director General Sports Board and Youth Affairs, Usman Anwar said that it's not only the Indians but several other countries have shown their interest of participation in the Festival. "We feel that sports play a vital role in the development of peace and bring the nations together. It's a heartening sign that a delegation of sports officials is here to make way for their players visit to Lahore and their participation in the Punjab International Sports Festival would open up new horizons of peace and friendship, between the two countries," he added.