TAXILA, July 10: To provide the swimming facilities to citizens of Wah Cantt and to provide relief from the scorching heat, the Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) administration has launched a new swimming pool on Haider Road.

Speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony, POF Chief Lt Gen Mohammad Ahsan Mahmood said the progress of any society relied upon sports-related health activities.

He said the POF administration had provided best sports facilities to employees and their families, and the new swimming pool, which was upgraded after spending a huge amount of money, was at par with the international standard.

The POF Chief added that it had been built with the amount earned by POF employees and it was the collective obligation of the community to take care of the pool.

President POF Sports Control Board Mohammad Rizwan told residents of the cantt that a fully equipped swimming pool had been provided to residents after 45 years.

He further said it was a gift for the residents by the POF administration. On the occasion, swimming competitions were also held in which Mohammad Ihtisham and Aaqib Khan respectively bagged the first and second position in the 50-metre free style junior category.

In the 50-metre free style open category, Mazhar Mahmood clinched the first position while Usman Habib got the second.

A coin-finding competition at a depth of 8 feet was also held in which Mahmood Ahmed and Umar Habib Kiani succeeded in finding coins from the deep end after great effort.

Chairman POF Board gave away cash prizes and trophies to the position holders while Mazhar Mahmood, who had also bagged the first position in the National Games, was awarded a special cash prize of Rs5,000.