Sydney, In a gesture of sportsmanship and goodwill, the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, hosted a reception at Kirribilli House, Sydney, in honour of the cricket teams from Pakistan and Australia, along with their respective management.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the event was attended by notable figures including the Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Mr. Zaka Ashraf, the High Commissioner of Pakistan in Australia, Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, and officials from Cricket Australia.
Prime Minister Albanese extended a warm welcome to both teams and particularly lauded the performance of the Pakistan team in the Melbourne Test. He expressed admiration for the visiting team’s conduct during the tour and anticipated an exciting cricket experience in Sydney.
Pakistan captain Shan Masood conveyed his appreciation to the Australian Prime Minister for the reception. He emphasized the positive cricket played by both teams in the series and the opportunity it presented to represent their countries through their conduct and performance. Shan also expressed hopes for a strong finish in the upcoming Sydney Test.
The third Test match between Pakistan and Australia is scheduled to commence at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday, 3 January. This event reflects the spirit of camaraderie and respect between the two cricketing nations and highlights the role of sports in fostering international relationships.
Lahore, Adviser to the Chief Minister of Punjab on Sports and Youth Affairs, Wahab Riaz, inaugurated the Under-16 Talent Hunt Programme Inter-Division Archery and Table Tennis Championship on Monday. The event, held at Nishtar Park Sports Complex (NPSC) Gymnasium Hall, is part of the Annual Sports Calendar Programme organized by Sports Board Punjab.
According to Sports Board Punjab, the ceremony was graced by Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Raja Jahangir Anwar, Director General Sports Punjab Dr. Asif Tufail, and other dignitaries. More than 200 male and female players and officials are participating in the championship, which runs from January 1 to 5, 2024.
Wahab Riaz, during the event, highlighted the provincial government’s commitment to promoting sports at the grassroots level. He mentioned the development of a mechanism to utilize existing sports infrastructure effectively and encourage young athletes to engage in sports throughout the year. Riaz explained that under this initiative, U-16 teams from all nine divisions of Punjab would be selected, and Sports Board Punjab would organize camps and competitions to motivate these young players.
Riaz also announced that a stipend of Rs 10,000 per month would be awarded to top-performing players for a year. He detailed the upcoming Winter Games, starting from January 14, featuring competitions in six sports disciplines. Athletes from these games will receive monthly stipends based on their performance.
Secretary Sports Punjab, Raja Jahangir Anwar, emphasized the focus on athlete welfare and competitive sports events. He expressed optimism about discovering talented athletes capable of competing in major international events like the World Cup and Olympics.
Director General Sports Punjab, Dr. Asif Tufail, spoke about the six-month effort to prepare an Annual Sports Calendar for the first time in the province’s history. He stressed that this initiative would significantly contribute to sports development at the grassroots level and help identify talented athletes.
The event marks a significant step in nurturing young talent in Punjab, offering promising athletes opportunities and support to excel in their respective sports disciplines.