KARACHI, August 25, 2022 – Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) organized the Media Briefing and Opening Ceremony for the Hockey Trials regarding Prime Minister’s Youth Talent Hunt Youth Sports League (Hockey). Ms Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs was the Chief Guest.
The press briefing was attended by the Olympian Hanif Khan, Chief Selector Talent Hunt Program, Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui, Brand Ambassador (Men), Talent Hunt Youth Sports League, Zaib un Nisa, Brand Ambassador (Women), Talent Hunt Youth Sports League, Olympian Haseem Khan, International Hockey Player Muhammad Ali Khan, International Hockey Player Ahmed Ali Rajpoot, Secretary Sindh Olympic Association, Ms Shaheen Fatima, Gulfaraz Ahmed Khan, Khalid Rehmani, Imtiaz Sheikh, Shah Zaman Khan, Asad Sheikh, Iqbal Memon, Ghaffar Chandio, Muhammad Akber, Muhammad Adeel, Dr. Muhammad Aamir, Dean Faculty of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Dr. Aqeel ur Rehman, Dean Faculty of Basic & Applied Sciences, Dr. Shabbar Zaidi, Dean Faculty of Civil Engineering & Architecture, Qazi Nasar Abbas, Acting Convenor Sports, Mubashir Mukhtar, National Coordinator of the event, Jawaid Khan of Lasbella University and others.
Ms Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs called on the Chancellor SSUET, Jawaid Anwar and discussed with him the present scenario of the sports in Pakistan and what measures should be taken to revive it to international level.
Addressing the media persons, Ms Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs said that Pakistan is the fortunate country because its 68% of the population is young and around 15 crore people are less than 30 years. Youth is a top priority for us, if we didn’t look after them carefully, they may appear as a challenge to face. Youth must be positively engaged in healthy and constructive activities so as to be an effective part of the society. There is no other sector except Sports that may gather all kinds of people together at one platform. It represents the united Pakistan.
She pointed out that we have selected such 12 games in which men and women both can equally participate. Half of the nation consists of women, but they lack the due share in the society. It is our duty to provide them a space and security, and a true sense of freedom. Budget for the whole talent hunt project is around 2700 million rupees, while100 million are reserved for the hockey games.
Speaking on the auspicious occasion, Vice Chancellor SSUET, Prof. Dr. Vali Uddin, said that Talent Hunt drive is indeed a unique venture on the part of Prime Minister’s youth program. This will go a long way in building up new leadership in the national sports arena and will lead to Pakistan’s representation in the international sports organizations. As educators at Sir Syed University, we are committed to invest in young people not in terms of quality higher education only but also to train and produce future leaders in all walks of life.
Olympian Islahuddin, Brand Ambassador (Men), Talent Hunt Youth Sports League, said that Pakistan is rich in talent but what we need is to hunt and groom them. Talent always comes from grass root level. The basic reason of sports’ decline in Pakistan is because of not giving priority to the merit. So stick to the merit to produce true talent.
Director Sports, Higher Education of Pakistan, Javed Ali Memon, said that our top priority is to revive sports at international level which is obviously a hard target but not impossible.
Presenting vote of thanks, Registrar SSUET, Cdre (r) Syed Sarfraz Ali, said that Pakistan is gifted with promising youth. The Talent Hunt Youth Sports Program will provide the best players for our national hockey team to represent Pakistan in the future Olympics and other championships.
Renowned anchor and sports journalist, Yahya Hussaini, conducted the event beautifully with a fine touch of humour.
After briefing, opening ceremony for the hockey trials was held at Karachi Hockey Association’s ground and more than 500 players took part in the trials. HEC Director Sports, Jawaid Ali Memon appreciated the efforts of SSUET Sports Department, especially Director Sports SSUET, Mubashir Mukhtar.
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