Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif inaugurated the newly constructed state-of-the-art hockey stadium with astro-turf in Johar Town, here on Thursday. Deputy Speaker, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chaudhry Akhtar Rasool, Member Assembly Naseer Bhutta, Saiful Malook, Ijaz Ahmad Khan, former Olympians and the youth who set records in Punjab Youth Festival for Guinness Book were also present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister said that the new hockey stadium constructed in Johar Town will be a milestone in the training of players as modern and latest facilities of international standard have been provided at the stadium. He said the new stadium will help revive the hustle and bustle of hockey matches and will play an important role in promotion of hockey. Punjab government is implementing a comprehensive policy for attracting the youth to positive activities through promotion of sports, he added. He said besides construction of new stadiums existing grounds are also being rehabilitated.
He also announced the revival of hockey team of Punjab Police and said the hockey team will comprise of best players who will be offered attractive incentives and pay packages and they will be appointed as police officers. He said that Pakistan has a glorious record in the field of hockey and great hockey players and heroes like Shahnaz Sheikh, Akhtar Rasool and Manzoor-ul-Hassan will again be produced who will earn laurels for the country.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said due to special efforts and keen interest of Chief Minister Punjab a modern hockey stadium has been constructed after 25 years. He said it is the vision of the Chief Minister that eleven world records have been set in Punjab Youth Festival and the credit for this goes to Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif.
Former Olympian Chaudhry Akhtar Rasool said Chief Minister Punjab is the 'Shahbaz' of Pakistan and takes lead over others in the performance of his duties. Earlier, two teams Pakistan Green and Pakistan White played an exhibition match to mark the inauguration of the new stadium in the metropolis city.