01 October 2004	Friday	15 Shaban 1425

QUETTA, Sept 30: Amid tight security in and around the venue the 29th National Games 2004 began at Ayub Stadium Sports Complex on Thursday.

Balochistan Chief Minister, Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf, formally declared the games pen in a colourful ceremony.

Thousands of athletes from different departments and all the four provinces took part in the colourful ceremony.

The President Pakistan Olympic Association, Lt. Gen (Retd) Arif Hasan, Director General Pakistan Sports Board Brig. Arif Mehmood, Provincial Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Mir Abdul Rehman Jamali, Minister for Sports Col. (Retd) Younas Changezi and secretary organizing committee National Games Afzal Awan were also present on the occasion.

The contingents of players and officials of all the departments and four provinces participating in the national games marched in the beautifully decorated venue of the athletics.

Balochistan's Olympian boxer Asghar Ali hoisted the National Games flag in the stadium while former Asian boxing champion Syed Ibrar Hussain Changezi lighted the Olympic torch that was handed over to him by Afzal Awan the President Balochistan Olympic Association.

The players and athletes including women participating in the games took the oath of observing the rules and regulations of the National Games under the shadow of 200 feet long and 100 feet wide national flag that was specially prepared for that occasion.

Police contingents of training collage led by a lady constable Shehla Rehman displayed beautiful PT show to the spectators. A cultural show was also presented on the occasion during, which various groups clad in traditional Balochi, Punjabi, Sindhi and Afghani dresses displayed folk dances of all the four provinces.

A national song "We are Pakistani, we all are Pakistani, welcome, welcome," was also sung on the occasion to welcome the players participating in various events. A number of other beautiful tableaus were also presented on the occasion.

Earlier, the Provincial Minister for Sports Col. Younas Changezi in his welcome address said that it was great honour for Balochistan to hold National Games for the third time in the provincial capital.

He said that sports activities were essential for character building of youths and it was responsibility of the government to provide them sports facilities and present government was fulfilling its responsibilities in this regard.

The minister stressed that while establishment of educational institutions was necessary for the promotion of education similarly construction of stadiums and playgrounds were also indispensable for promotion of sports.

Changezi said that despite having limited resources the provincial government was trying it's level best to provide maximum facilities to the youths of Balochistan. The said that the construction of tartan track, boxing gymnasium and swimming pool would soon be started in the Quetta.

He thanked Balochistan Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani for taking personal interest in holding of the National Games and making efforts for provision of funds to hold this sports gala.

He also thanked the chief minister for his cooperation in this regard and said that despite limited resources of the province he extended all possible assistance to the organizers to hold the National Games.

Changezi assured the players of providing them with all possible facilities during their stay in the provincial capital.

Later, the chief minister formally announced the inauguration of the National Games with which hundreds of balloons and pigeons were released in the air.

President Pakistan Olympic Association Lt Gen Arif Hassan on the occasion presented a shield to the chief minister.

The district administration made special security arrangements deploying several thousand extra policemen and personnel of other law enforcement agencies to avoid any mishap on the occasion. The Games will start in earnest from today.