By Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (April 28, 2020):-Wushu medal winners of 13th South Asian Games 2019 Tuesday received cash award in a ceremony held at Pakistan Sports Board (PSB). Federal Minister for Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC), Dr Fehmida Mirza distributed the cheques among the national Wushu players.
According to a spokesman for PSB, Wushu team had won 3 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze medals in the recently concluded South Asian Games 2019, which were held in two different cities of Nepal. In line with approved cash award policy, gold medalists were given Rs.1.000 million each, silver medalists got Rs.500, 000 while bronze medalists received cheques of Rs.250, 000 each.
Maaz Khan, Sajid Hussain and Mohammad Amjad Iqbal won gold medals, Farhan Ali, Shahzab, Maira Karamat and Sundas won silver medals while Fatima Bibi, Abdul Khaliq, Saddam Hussan and Mohammad Dawood claimed bronze medals. Total Rs.6.000 million was distributed to the players. Secretary IPC Mohmmad Ali Shahzada, Additional Secretary IPC Amna Imran and Azam Dar Deputy DG PSB were present on the occasion.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza Minister for IPC, who is also President PSB, congratulated the medal winners and urged the players to continue their struggle focusing the next edition of SA Games, scheduled to be held in Pakistan. Dates of these games are yet to be decided.
She once again stated that provinces should come forward to allocate more resources as after 18th amendment of constitution; provinces are primarily responsible to deal with the subject of sports. They should also support these shining stars along-with federal government. She also directed PSB to prepare a database of the players especially of winners of SA Games enabling to connect the elite players with the Prime Minister through a sports portal. This will also facilitate the players to upload their videos on the portal to interact with dignitaries and this will also help to know the problems of the players.
Minister also advised the sportspersons to remain active on the social media to learn soft skills. In view of prevailing situation of Covid-19, the Minister advised the players to take advantage of PSB’s ‘Tele-Health Service’ and also keep themselves fit for future endeavors.
The players of Wushu team thanked the federal government and especially Dr. Fehmida Mirza Federal Minister for IPC/President PSB for the prize money at this critical time. One of the participating players from Quetta stated that besides the federal government provinces should also play their due role to support the players so that youth, a major portion of the country, may utilize their energies in healthy sports activities and it can also make enabling environment for the youngsters to choose sports as their profession.
