Lahore: The Punjab Youth Affairs and Sports Department hosted a prize distribution ceremony at SBP E-Library this Tuesday for the winners of the Independence Day calligraphy, speech, and debate competitions, celebrating the achievements of young participants across the province.

According to Sports Board Punjab, the event saw the distribution of cash prizes to top contenders, with special recognition given by Director General Sports Punjab, Pervez Iqbal, who was the chief guest. He awarded checks to all top position holders and announced a special cash prize for young competitor Arbab Sakeena, along with a pledge to double future cash prizes to further motivate participants.

The ceremony was attended by notable officials including Director Admin Dr. M Kaleem, Director Youth Affairs Rana Nadeem Anjum, and other SBP officials. Director General Iqbal emphasized the vast talent among students from various schools and colleges who participated in the competitions, highlighting the government’s commitment to nurturing young talent through continuous support and larger upcoming events, like those planned for Defense Day on September 6.

Winners in the calligraphy contest included Laraib Eman Ali, Aysha Fatima, and Samara Shahid, with prizes of Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000, and Rs 10,000 respectively. In the debate contest, Ali Hassan, Tehzeeb Afzal, and Zainul Abedeen, who supported the role of youth in the progress of Pakistan, were top performers, while Sahil Hussain, Duriya Batool, and Nalain Abbas, who opposed the topic, also received top honors.

Furthermore, the Urdu and English speech competitions for schools and colleges showcased impressive oratory skills, with participants like M Hassamul Qayyum, Arbab Sakeena, Eshal Maqsood, and Ali Rasheed, among others, receiving accolades for their performances.