LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif hosted a reception in honour of the Asian Games gold medal winning Pakistan women cricket team here at the CM House on Tuesday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the performance of every department including sports had been suffered due to militancy in the country. He stressed that the women empowerment in every sphere of life was the need of the hour.
The CM announced that the Punjab government would set up a girls cricket academy and build a cricket ground here in the city soon. He said the Punjab government would provide every facility to improve standards of sports in the province. Senior Advisor to CM Zulfqar Khosa, Sports Minister Dr Tanveer-ul-Islam, PCB Chairman Ijaz Butt, PCB Chairperson Women Wing Bushra Aitzaz, and Pakistan team batting consultant Javed Miandad were also present on the occasion.
The chief minister said that winning of gold medal in the South Asian Games by Pakistani women was a great achievement, especially at a time when the country was facing many problems. He said the hockey team also brought laurels for country and the recent victories by both the teams gave a lesson that every Pakistani should be optimistic and work hard for the prosperity and development of the country. He said that women empowerment in every field was the need of the hour and women representatives should create linkages for women empowerment. He added that the Punjab government was also working on the same lines.
Appreciating the cricket career of the PCB Chairman, the CM urged him to bring improvement in cricket.
Later, Shahbaz Sharif distributed cheques and shields among the coaches and players of the winning team.
Earlier, Sports Minster, PCB chairman and PCB chairperson women wing, women team captain addressed the participants and thanked the CM for the reception. They said that the CM had always patronised the sports activities and provided funds generously for betterment of sports.