Sports vital to promote soft image of country: Gen (r ) Tauqir Zia

Five-day sports for peace festival came to an end at the Minhaj University yesterday. Former Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Lt. Gen (r ) Tauqir Zia was the guest of honour on the concluding ceremony.

In his address, Gen. Zia paid tributes to Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, Dr Muhammad Aslam Ghouri, and MUL Sports Department on holding wonderful sporting competitions. He said that the universities have a central role to play in reviving the sports culture in the country. He said that there is a dire need that our educated youth goes into the grounds, adding that the sports are the best means to promote soft image of the country.

Khurram Nawaz Gandapur, Dr Aslam Ghouri, Khurram Jahangir Wattoo, Col. (r ) Muhammad Ahmad, Col. (r ) Mubashir Iqbal, Iqbal Murtaza, Shahzad Rasool, Abdul Hafeez Ch and others received Gen Tauqir Zia on his arrival at the University campus.

Gen Zia said that Pakistan needs sportsmen of credibility. Responding to a question about match fixing, he said that there was a time when five to six players used to be involved in match fixing and it was easy to keep an eye on them but these days it is very difficult to detect spot fixing. He said that he is member of the inquiry committee and all decisions will be taken based on the proofs. He said that he wants the matter of spot fixing to be taken to its logical conclusion because such matters should not be allowed to be dragged.

Gen. Zia said that he is immensely pleased to see passion and love for the sports among the students of the Minhaj University. He said that the University has done well to provide sports facilities to the students.

Speaking on the occasion, Khurram Nawaz Gandapur said that we are providing sports opportunities to the students along with education in the light of vision of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri. He said that the present rulers are responsible for destruction of sports in the country. He said that there is a need of bold decisions to revive sports in the country.

He asked the young players to stay clear of evils such as spot fixing. He said that it is unfortunate that there is no system to hunt talent in the country. He said that the conduct of such sports events can play a role in promoting peace. He said that the sports create friendships, sportsman spirit and healthy competition. He said that the society can be constructively built through the promotion of sporting activities.

Khurram Jahangir Wattoo said that he was immensely pleased to attend the sports ceremony. He said that the sports festival was arranged in a splendid manner. He said that these events show Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri’s love for sports and education.