SAHIWAL: How well managed is the Khelta Punjab sports event in Sahiwal is the fact that winning and runners-up badminton teams were not invited to the award distribution ceremony on Thursday.

The District and Divisional Sports Department held the award event at the Sports Gymnasium where the winner club was supposed to get Rs50,000 in cash, a certificate and a trophy while the runners-up were to receive Rs25,000.

District Sports Officer Amir confirmed the badminton team “got missed and he would look into the matter”.

Sources said no call was made to any member of the badminton team.

Haris, Anayat, and Sanwal, the winning team in the singles and doubles categories, said none of them received any communication from sports officials regarding their participation in the final prize distribution event.

Anayat said the initiative -- meant to hunt talent under 22 years of age and promote sports like athletics, hockey, kabaddi, and badminton at the district level -- loses its meaning when such things happen.

He said receiving award at the concluding event was an honour cherished by every player. “ It is “extreme negligence” on the part of sports officials.

Nisarul Haq, the Divisional Sports Officer who supervised the whole ceremony did not respond to calls, SMS, and voice messages seeking his comment.

Tahir Javed, the team coach, expressed his frustration, stating that badminton clubs were included in all three tiers—district, divisional, and provincial levels—but the winning club was still overlooked in the final event at the district level.

Pir Imran Shah, PML-N MNA and DC Saima Ali distributed cash prizes and trophies to the winning clubs in five categories.

Speaking to the audience, the deputy commissioner said the Punjab government is promoting sports at the grassroots level to encourage young boys and girls to engage in healthy activities.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2024