KARACHI: Federal Minister for Inter-provincial Coordination (IPC) Riaz Hussain Pirzada has said it is Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s desire that stadia across the country should remain filled by youth if the nation wants to defeat terrorism.

“The prime minister wants Pakistan to regain its lost prestige in international sports,” the minister said while speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of the 28th National Women’s Hockey Championship at the Hockey Club of Pakistan Stadium on Thursday.

He asked the players to always take the field in high spirits with an aim to. “Put in your best effort, be fair and avoid cheating at all cost,” he said while advising the players.

Riaz said the prime minister, who is also patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF), takes special interest in the national game and wants the national flag to be hoisted again at the Asian Games, Olympic Games and World Cup.

Later, he presented a cheque of one million rupees to chairperson of PHF women’s wing, Khushbakht Shujaat, on behalf of the PM. He expressed his desire that hockey for men as well as women should flourish at all levels in the country.

The federal minister hoped the row between two POA factions headed by retired Lt Gen Arif Hasan and retired Maj Gen Akram Sahi that has polarised the country’s sports will be soon be resolved amicably.

“I assure you that Pakistan teams will compete in global events,” the minister said in response to a question. “We’re following the government directives and court of law and not defying the IOC charter.”

Later, the minister also discussed the ways and means for the revival of sports including hockey with former Olympians in an informal meeting at the HCP Stadium. Those who were present on the occasion included Islahuddin Siddiqui, Hasan Sardar, Shahid Ali Khan, PHF secretary Rana Mujahid and Iftikhar Syed.

Islahuddin requested the minister to play his role in reopening of sports departments following prime minister’s decision to lift ban on employment in government departments.

The minister said the government was sending a teenaged and highly talented gymnast to China to acquire training after she was spotted by during a competition in Punjab.

Earlier, in her welcome speech, Khushbakht thanked the minister for coming down from Islamabad and gracing the final.

She also expressed her gratitude to Senior Minister Sindh, Nisar Khuhro who has promised that the provincial government will meet the cost of new synthetic pitch that would be laid at the HCP Stadium.

PHF secretary Tanzeela Amir Cheema also spoke on the occasion and gave full marks to the chairperson for staging the event in a befitting manner.