Punjab land fertile for traditional sports

LAHORE-Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab, Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry, said that Punjab’s land is “very fertile for traditional sports” as he addressed the participants of the Mas Wrestling Championship held at Elite Training Center, Nishtar Park Sports Complex (NPSC) on Tuesday.

The championship was organized under the supervision of the Sports Board Punjab (SBP) and witnessed enthusiastic participation from across the province. A total of 240 athletes from 30 schools and 96 players from 13 colleges competed in various categories, showcasing their strength and traditional sporting spirit.

Prominent attendees included Director Sports Rana Nadeem Anjum, Director Admin Abid Shaukat, and President Pakistan Mas-Wrestling Federation Furqan Ahmad, along with other senior sports officials.

DG Sports Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry closely watched the competitions, appreciated the skill and dedication of the players, and later took group photographs with them.

Speaking to the media, he emphasized Punjab’s strong cultural connection to indigenous and traditional sports, saying:

> “Punjab’s land is very fertile for traditional sports. The Punjab Sports Department is taking several effective measures for the development and promotion of traditional sports across the province.”

He further stated that Punjab is the only province in Pakistan providing financial assistance to athletes for their outstanding performances in various sports.

Highlighting the government’s support programs, he said:

> “The Punjab Sports Department is giving scholarships to top-performing players every month under the Sports Endowment Fund. The best players receive performance-based monthly scholarships of Rs. 70,000, Rs. 50,000, and Rs. 30,000 under three categories — Platinum, Gold, and Silver.”

DG Sports Chaudhry added that such initiatives are designed to encourage young athletes and ensure that talented players emerge from competitions like Mas Wrestling, contributing to the revival and promotion of traditional games in Punjab.

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