KARACHI: Lt. Gen. (R) Syed Arif Hassan, President of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA), on Saturday appealed to all the generous people, sports federations and associations to come forward and lend a helping hand to all those sports persons including athletes, coaches and ground staff who are either financially unstable, working on daily wages or in low paid category and are facing difficulties due to the current lockdown owing to the coronavirus outbreak.

In a video message, he appreciated the steps taken by the Karachi Sports Forum in this regard and said “their efforts were praiseworthy.”

“We need to work together for people in distress and difficulties and need to overcome this crisis as a nation,” said Gen Arif.

He added that role of Karachi Sports Forum in these trying times to help families affected by the current situation is exemplary. “Sending essential items including ration bags, medicines, sanitizers and protective masks at distressed people’s doorsteps is praiseworthy indeed,” said the POA chief.

Gen Arif further stated that at this time when all the sports activities across the country are suspended due to the outbreak of coronavirus, the Olympic family members should go all out to help others which signifies the spirit of humanity.

On the occasion He also appealed to the masses to strictly confine themselves to their homes and refrain from social gatherings.

Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2020