Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has harped on improving sports standard in the country. Addressing players and organizers at Prime Minister House to applaud the country’s top performers at 15th Asian Games held in Doha, Qatar in 2006, the PM urged players to be better prepared for the Olympics.
Pakistan participated in 21 events and won bronze in Hockey, Squash and Wushu and Silver in Kabaddi. The hockey players received cash prizes of Rs. 200,000 each, Kabaddi players got Rs. 500,000 each while Squash and Wushu players received cash prize of Rs. 1,000,000 each.
Encouraging the players and coaches, Mr Aziz said Pakistan has a lot of talent in the sports arena. However, the players should plan a comprehensive strategy to improve the standard of sports in the country and to revive the name of the country as was in yesteryears. He advised the organizers to provide proper training, guidance and supervision to the players to revive the same glorious past.
He said today the country needs performers who could compete well and bring good name for the country at international level. He promised that the Pakistan government would provide sufficient funds, facilities and training to groom talent in the country. He said sports events need to be organized at the school, college, and district level to search talent and hone their skills to prepare them for international level.
The PM urged the coaches to give due attention on health, stamina, diet, training and improvement of skill and weaknesses of the players by using latest and modern techniques of training such as computer technology.
While referring to ‘ping pong diplomacy’ used by US and China, the PM said sports activities could also be used to promote international relations like people to people contact and project the name of the country in the world.
He advised both the players and coaches to set their eyes to achieve world standard in all games at the next Olympic games to be held in China.
Mentioning the importance of astro turf, he promised to provide the same to promote hockey and other games in different cities.
The Pakistan Government has taken the first step towards encouraging and promoting players by increasing the budget for sports .
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