Prize distribution ceremony of the 46th Annual WAPDA Inter – Unit Sports competitions held today at WAPDA Administrative Staff College under the aegis of WAPDA Sports Board.
Water and Power Federal Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif was the Chief Guest of the ceremony. WAPDA Chairman Zafar Mahmood, WAPDA Secretary/ WAPDA Sports Board President Amer Ahmad, Chief Executive Officers of FESCO, GEPCO and IESCO were also present on the occasion.
LESCO secured the overall top position in the 46th Annual WAPDA Inter-Unit Sports competitions followed by FESCO and GEPCO that won second and third slots respectively. The Federal Minister gave away trophies to LESCO representative and Chief Executive Officers of FESCO and GEPCO for their top slots in the competitions. It is pertinent to mentioned that as many as 30 sports contests were held throughout the year as part of the 46th Annual WAPDA Inter-Unit Sports Competitions.
Addressing the ceremony, the Federal Minister said that the way WAPDA has been excelling in sports on national and international level is commendable. Expressing satisfaction over the contribution of the public sector organizations in promoting sports in Pakistan, he said that private corporate sector should also come forward to play its effective role for the purpose.
Highlighting the importance of water for life, the Federal Minister said that water security is the major competent of our national security. Diamer Basha Dam and Mohmand Dam have been gradually becoming reality, for which credit goes to the present government, he added. Emphasizing the need for massive forestation to mitigate floods, he said that WAPDA should also take lead in forestation on national level like that of sports. With a view to avoiding wastage of water and electricity in the country, efforts should be made on national level and culture of conservation needs to be promoted in the country, he further said.
The Minister said that there has been a significant improvement in electricity situation in the country during the tenure of the present government. There is zero load-shedding for industry in the country. Gas is being fully supplied to the industry, while all captive power plants are being run on their maximum generation capacity, he added.
Earlier, WAPDA Chairman in his welcome address, said that WAPDA has been providing patronage for promotion of sports in the country for more than five decades, adding that it will continue to play this role with renewed vigor. WAPDA has 58 teams – 35 men and 23 women. At present, WAPDA is national champion in 28 sports and runners-up in 17 disciplines, he added. Highlighting the brilliant performance of WAPDA players who represented Pakistan in the 12th South Asian games 2016 held in India, he said that it is a matter of great pride for WAPDA that its players bagged 47 medals for the country, out of Pakistan’s total 106 medals. The medals won by WAPDA players include seven gold 19 sliver and 21 bronze, he added.
The Chairman said that WAPDA has introduced four initiatives in sports as part of its corporate social responsibility namely ‘WAPDA Endowment Fund for Sports’ to elevate the standard of sports in Pakistan, ‘WAPDA Athletics Colts’ to promote athletic in the country and ‘Focus on Fielding and Fitness’ and ‘T-12 Cricket’ to improve the fielding in Pakistan’s cricket.
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