Multan, In an unprecedented move to honor outstanding athletic achievements, the Sports Board Punjab hosted a grand cash and motorbikes award ceremony at the Alhamra Complex, Shahra-e-Quaid-e-Azam. The event, which took place on Saturday, celebrated the exceptional performance of 480 male and female athletes in various national and international sports competitions, distributing cash prizes totaling around Rs 3 crore, 90 lakh.
According to Sports Board Punjab, the ceremony was graced by the presence of notable dignitaries including Wahab Riaz, Adviser to the Chief Minister Punjab on Sports and Youth Affairs, several Provincial Ministers, Punjab’s Chief Secretary, the CCPO of Lahore, the Secretary Sports Punjab, and the Director General Sports Punjab, among others. These officials distributed cash prizes and motorbikes, acknowledging the athletes’ hard work and dedication.
The recipients included top performers from the 34th Quetta National Games, Pink Games, Asian Athletics Championship 2023, Rising Punjab Games, Ramzan Sports Series, Junior Asia Cup Hockey in Oman, and the World Snooker and Chess Championship. Highlights of the awards included Rs 48 lakh distributed among 20 players for their performance in the Ramazan sports series and significant cash prizes for athletes who excelled in the Rising Punjab Games and the 34th National Games.
Special recognition was given to Javelin thrower M Yasir for winning a bronze medal and to the silver medal-winning team in the Junior Asian Hockey Tournament. Para-athlete Haider Ali, a gold medalist in the Paralympic Games, received a cash prize of Rs 20 lakh. Additionally, 150 Tehsil Sports Officers were awarded motorbikes for their efforts in sports club registration, with 11 officers receiving cash prizes for exceptional performance.
Wahab Riaz highlighted the Sports Board Punjab’s initiatives over the past year, including the implementation of a sports calendar and the registration of sports clubs across the province, aimed at fostering a robust sports culture. He emphasized that such measures, aimed at recognizing and honoring the achievements of athletes, were unprecedented in the history of Punjab.
The ceremony not only celebrated the athletes’ achievements but also underscored the government’s commitment to developing sports and recognizing talent at all levels. It marks a significant step towards promoting sports culture and encouraging young athletes in Punjab.