KPK to host Rs.15 Million 33rd National Games 2019
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan announced that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is ready to host 33rd National Games this year.
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan announced that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is ready to host 33rd National Games this year soon after holding meeting with former Sports Minister KP and President KP Olympic Association Syed Aqil Shah here at Chief Minister Secretariat.
The two Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtukhwa Mahmood Khan and former Sports Minister Syed Aqil Shah have discussed the present situation in detail regarding the hosting of the Games in Quetta, Balochistan.
Syed Aqil Shah appraised the Chief Minister about 33rd National Games that it has been allotted to Balochsitan by Pakistan Olympic Association in 2012 but till now the Balochistan Olympic Association and Govt of Balochistan are unable to host these Games due to lack of proper infrastructure.
When contacted Syed Aqil Shah, who is also Vice President of Pakistan Olympic Association said that he is fully supporting Pakistan Olympic Association who wants that Balochistan Olympic Association should come forward and hold these Games within the period setup by POA in its meeting held in Quetta in December last year.
He said now another meeting of the Pakistan Olympic Association would be held on March 31, 2019 in which final decision would be taken regarding the holding of the 33rd National Games in Quetta and they could ask other provinces to hold.
He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Olympic Association, having vast experienced of holding such Games in 1958, 1974, 1982, 1990, 1998 and 2010 is fully ready to host these Games if Balochistan Olympic Association could not agree.
Now the Directorate of Sports KP will accordingly process a summary for approval of Chief Minister KP seeking approval and release of funds to the tune of Rs. 150 million from the lump-sum (Total) budgetary provisions with Finance Department.
It was further reiterated that in order to kick start these Games as per the stipulated timelines, the Provincial Government needs to ensure timely availability of these funds so that requisite procurement of sports goods, vendor services is transparently ensured in compliance with KP Procurement Rules 2014.
Moreover, appropriate operation and maintenance funds will be released for rehabilitation and up-gradation of various sports facilities including the Tartan Track for Athletic event at Qayyum Sports so that they are fully equipped to host National Games this year.
He thanked Chief Minister KP Mahmood Khan for giving go ahead signal to hold these Games for the 7th times. He said the 1998 and 2010 Games have been declared as the best in the history of National Games hosted by KP Olympic Association with the strong support of the Govt of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“I assured the Chief Minister that this time too efforts would be taken to hold the Games in befitting manners,” Aqil Shah added. He said Chief Minister is agreed to announce special fund of Rs. 15 million for these Games.
He said now Director General Sports KP, KP Olympic Association and keen interest shown by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan more efforts would be taken for the smooth conduct of the 33rd National Games if allotted to KP.
“I have apprised the Chief Minister about the present situation regarding hosting of the 33rd National in Peshawar. The Chief Minister assured him of his fullest support and cooperation and gave him a go ahead signal,” Aqil said.
He said that the National Games will be held in most befitting manners like in the past if allotted to KP by the Pakistan Olympic Association in its meeting to be scheduled on March 31st at Lahore. It is good signed for the promotion of sports in the province as KP is fully equipped with much updated facilities apart from the Tartan Track for Athletics. KP Olympic pride and tested and has proved in past of their capabilities organizing successful Games.
He said, Sports Writers Association, KP, also extended his fullest support and cooperation for holding of these Games. And the bright part is that all the stage holders including KP Olympic, DG Sports and SWA, KP and Government of KP are on the same page.
