KARACHI: Welfare of athletes, cash rewards for sportspersons who win accolades at international level, discouragement of parallel-associations, improvement of infrastructure and betterment of sports at the grassroot level will be part of the new provincial sports policy of Sindh.
This was stated by secretary sports and youth affairs Sindh, Syed Imtiaz Ali Shah, at a seminar, organised by Sports Journalists Association of Sindh (SJAS) with high-ups of sporting associations of Sindh at the Scout headquarters here on Wednesday.
Earlier presidents and secretaries of various provincial sporting associations presented their recommendations for the upcoming sports policy of Sindh.
Imtiaz Ali Shah, after taking notes of the recommendations, presented his detailed viewpoint regarding Sindh’s upcoming sports policy. He said that a comprehensive sports policy is the need of hour and the lack of comprehensive strategy is causing hindrance in the progress of sports and athletes. He said the fundamental responsibility of the sports department is to cater to athletes and promote sports. Imtiaz Ali Shah vowed to introduce a mechanism to reward outstanding athletes.
The provincial secretary sports and youth affairs was of the opinion that hostels should be constructed along with sporting facilities and furthermore the Sindh government will collaborate with education department to promote sports at the level of school and college.
He said that women would be provided with a fare share in sports and associations.
Provision of pension, awards for coaches and organisers was also recommended by attendees, on which the provincial secretary said that the proposal of sports welfare fund would be incorporated in the new policy.
He assured the associations’ representatives that rational suggestions would be included in the upcoming provincial sports policy.
President, SJAS, Muhammad Asif Khan, in his concluding remarks, thanked the secretary sports and youth affairs and representatives of associations for their cooperation. The ceremony was hosted by Secretary General, SJAS, Muhammad Asghar Azeem.
