ISLAMABAD, May 4: The Federal Minister for Sports Shamim Haider said on Thursday that implementation of the sports policy in letter and spirit was one of his main priorities.

The minister in his first press conference just days after taking over said it was important that a good start be made. "The national sports policy and ensuring that funds at the district and tehsil levels were spent on sports are areas which will be focussed upon."

Previously the Minister for Railways, Shamim admitted that handling the new ministry was a formidable job but added that with honesty of purpose all goals could be achieved.

"There's a lot to be done in areas of training, funding, facilities and provision of jobs to athletes and we will be re-examining all these."