Tuesday, February 23, 2010

PM forms National Sports Development Committee

 Decline in sports contributed towards rise in terrorism: Gilani
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday said the decline of sports in the country had contributed towards the rise in terrorism in the country. “If the youth of the country are provided with motivation, facilities and opportunity to harness their energy into positive activities like sports, the extremists would have a hard time in finding youth that can be misled,” he added. Gilani was addressing the first ever joint meeting of the national sports bodies and national sports heroes held at the Prime Minister Secretariat. The Prime Minister said sports created integration, discipline and a sense of brotherhood. “Sports create awareness, bring cultures together and build bridges even in the case of traditional rivals,” he said. He observed there were scores of oil and gas companies, banks, cellular companies, beverages and major tea brands which were engaged in patronizing bigger sports like cricket and hockey. “They should also focus on individual sportsmen by providing them scholarships and employments.”

The Prime Minister said he would direct the concerned authorities to include sports education as part of the development package for under developed and militancy affected areas. He announced formation of a National Sports Development Committee to be headed by the federal minister for sports with minister for education, minister for inter-provincial coordination and provincial sports ministers as members. The committee has been assigned to develop a national policy for sports promotion in consultation with all the stakeholders including national sports heroes and submit the policy with recommendations within two months for consideration of the cabinet. Gilani also announced to double the budget allocations of the ministry of sports specifically for the promotion of various sports through established federations. He also announced sports scholarships in all the leading schools, colleges, and universities to encourage students to participate in sports.

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