Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, while inaugurating the Punjab International Swimming Complex at Qadhafi Stadium, has expressed the hope that this complex will play an important role in promoting the sport of swimming. He said that special attention is being given to the promotion of sports activities and Rs eight billion has been provided for it. Quite a number of new sports fields for hockey, cricket and football games are being constructed in the province, he added.
He said that state-of-the-art hockey stadiums have been established in five selected cities while sports grounds are also being developed in other districts to facilitate the youth. Similarly, gymnasiums have also been set up to encourage youth to take part in different sports activities, he added. Shahbaz said the Punjab government has recovered hundreds of acres of land from the qabza mafia and constructed sports fields there. "Rule of law is the only way forward and we have taken effective steps to control any unlawful act," he said, adding: "Pakistan belongs to all of us and we all have to develop it. Let's join hands together and work collectively for the betterment of the country as no nation can progress through sit-in, lockdowns and agitation. If you try to disturb the souls of Quaid and Iqbal through sit-ins and agitation, then the nation will foil the nefarious designs."
He congratulated Minister, Secretary, DG Sports and the team members over the completion of Punjab International Swimming Complex and said that whole team has worked with dedication to complete this project. He advised the administration to ensure merit and appoint the trainers through a merit-based system so that international quality players could be developed to bring laurels home. Sports Minister Jahangir Khanzada and Chairman Steering Committee Sports Sector Development Punjab Hanif Abbasi also addressed the ceremony. The Chief Minister witnessed two swimming competitions and gave away prizes to the winners.